The past can be something that holds onto us and refuses to release its grip, especially if we have things we did as younger versions that haunt us, or at least bother us, today. For example, I hated my 20s, and I am not thrilled about who I was and what I did. I wasn’t introspective enough, I paid attention to the wrong things. I wouldn’t hang with that guy.
Luckily, the time since has changed a lot of my perspectives, and I can make amends with those years because they helped me change and become a different person. On their thunderous debut record “Asymmetries,” Void of Light examine similar territories, being able to bridge different versions of yourself into what you have become. The band—vocalist Ali Lauder, guitarists Nick Collins, Simon Mather, and Marc Carey (who also contributes vocals), bassist Dan Irving, drummer Stephen Wilkinson—uses their atmospheric doom to blister with volume and drama as they tie together emotional eras.
“The Passing Hours” opens gently, even dreamy, and then the jolts happen, melodies swarming, the energy charring the edges. Guitars soar as the howls snarl, the playing cutting and gushing, light rushing to the surface. Gruff singing rumbles as the guitars lap, flying and lashing, howls hammering as everything fades into smoke. “Silver Mask” charges and mashes from the start, roars mixing with singing, activity punching as the melodies loops into time. Atmosphere levels and smothers, moodiness thickening as throaty howls hammer, cleaner singing entering to add some relief, all the elements pulling, spiriting into distant folds of outer space.
“Ends” drops the hammer, howls cutting as the playing goes faster, pummeling as clean calls rain down. A fiery pace launches, guitars swelling before the pace pulls back, singing swells, and a brief lull calms. Then, a black metal-style assault destroys, the speed toppling as guitars encircle, driving everything into the dark. “Still the Night Skies” has the bass driving and leads burning, the singing luring you into the center where you’re met by a psyche dream. Lauder’s vocals are almost like David Gilmour’s here, guitars firing on all cylinders as the pressure grows heavier. Screams and roars buckle as echoey, lonesome guitars cry, giving off a Western vibe, gazey fire leaving ash. Closer “Mirrorings” is sludgy, wails bruising, howls smashing as rubbery guitars flex, a gazey stream gushing. The tempo launches as Lauder’s singing bellows, other voices swirling into the mix, the playing turning calm. Guitars flow and entrance, notes chiming as the energy blasts back, howls smearing as the last passages spiral into the distance.
Void of Light make an impressive first impression on “Asymmetries,” a more than worthy entry into the atmospheric sludge doom universe. The band delivers on emotion, power, and precision, always adding different elements into the chaos to keep things interesting. Plus, it’s a quaking look within, with our own history interwoven and giving us a glimpse into ways that can make us stronger.
For more on the band, go here: https://voidoflight.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://ripcordrecords.bandcamp.com/album/asymmetries
For more on the label, go here: https://ripcordrecords.bandcamp.com/
Meat Mead Metal 