VOIDKUSH - Stay Close to the Fire (EQUINOX DISCOS - CD 2016)
Voidkush is a new name on the
Spanish metal scene, but the line up includes Gusi from Graveyard / Morbid
Flesh / Agonised and Vomitor from Insulters. This band has released just
recently their debut album “Stay Close to the Fire” and if you think that it’s
something alike to any of the other bands that these maniacs are involved, then
you’re rather wrong. There’s only one thing that all of them have in common and
it’s their passion for traditional, old school metal. But each of these bands
is different, so is Voidkush, who sounds like a tribute to not one, but rather
several metal subgenres like doom, heavy, black – all in their archaic and
classic forms.
Many of the riffs and the
overall aura of “Stay Close to the Fire” has a traditional doom metal vibe.
Even the production has that worm, organic, smoky, doomy feeling, although I
think it’s a bit more aggressive and even darker that the usual Cathedral or
whatever doom stuff you will think of. Mixing doom with other subgenres gives
quite good results, I need to say, I really like many riffs that are here and
the whole aura that this music creates. Sadly, the only thing, which sounds a
bit odd are the vocals, which are like harsh, dry black metal screams. I cannot
agree that they always fit to this sort of music. I’m afraid that quite often
it all just asks to use a cleaner, powerful voice and who knows if it would give
a better effect. For me personally the whole vocal performance is just too
monotonous, so after a while I get a bit annoyed with them. The songs start to
sound the same also, sometimes you don’t even know when one songs ends and
another begins.
It doesn’t mean that “Stay
Close to the Fire” is uninteresting. It is a good album, with some inspiring
songs on it… but far from being exceptional. I like the musical background,
with the riffage (good performance, good arrangements, etc), atmosphere, etc,
but not how it all sounds together with the vocals. Which is a shame, I guess.
Oh, and I love the artwork for
“Stay Close to the Fire” also, it looks just awesome, especially as it comes in
a foldout booklet. Great lyrics as well!
Standout tracks: none of them
really stands out, as they all get to sound the same. “Through the Shadows I
Come” maybe??
Final rate: 65/100
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