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domenica 6 dicembre 2020

Over the Voids… - Hadal

#FOR FANS OF: Black Metal
Poland for many years has been a truly respected scene with many talented musicians involved in the black metal genre, creating and developing projects both classical or innovative, but always with a distinctive sound. Some of those musicians are more focused on their main projects as others, like the musician known as the Fall, have been participating in several bands, though he decided to create a solo-project where he could forge a sound sorely based on his ideas. Over the Voids… was the name of this project created a few years ago, which caught the attention of the respected Swedish label Nordvis Produktion. The interesting homonymous debut album was the first stone of this project´s career, whose sound was firmly rooted in a devotion to the 90s black metal.

Three years later Over the Voids… has released its sophomore album 'Hadal', confirming the main characteristics found in the debut album but expanding a little bit its sound, though it keeps the core sound which always helps to maintain the personality of the project recognizable. The aforementioned devotion to the '90s black metal classic style is still there, though the production fits the current times. The first proper song of the album "One Commandment", is a fine example of it, stylistically the style is highly recognizable with those rasped vocals, yet with a slightly lower tone, which is quite classic in other bands of the Polish scene. Some melancholicesque vocals are also introduced as a tiny variation which is always welcome. The riffs have a distinguishable black metal sound with a little distortion, very typical in modern times. The guitars are obviously a strong point on this album with remarkably well-done work in the composition of the riffs. This is by no means an album with the typical songs with a lineal structure as variation in the guitar lines, sometimes more aggressive and other times slightly more melodic, are also accompanied by a rhythmic base where drums and bass create flowing structures in terms of intensity and pace. The fourth song "Witchfuck" is one of my favorites and one which shows clearly the explained variance of these songs. The more aggressive tone "Stone Vault Astronomers" doesn’t leave behind the already exposed features, combining straightforward sections with aggressive vocals and ferocious riffs, but at the same time introducing again those melancholic clean vocals which mark a clear contrast. This combination of elements is undoubtedly an interesting resource to create varied and exciting songs and marks which are maybe the key elements introduced in this second opus of Over the Voids... I wouldn't like to forget mentioning another impressive track, the one entitled "Prodigal King". This song has some of the best riffs of this album, quite melodic yet still aggressive, and introduces some echoing vocals which give a certain atmospheric touch to this song, making it one of the most varied of this sophomore album.

In conclusion, it is undoubtedly that Over the Voids… has made a step forward with 'Hadal', reaching a pretty inspired balance between straightforward aggression, a remarkable melodic facet, and some interesting new adds which enrich its compositions. This is a very good black metal album that may appeal to, both the lovers of the classic sound and the ones who want bands that renew the classic sound without reneging on it. (Alain González Artola)

(Nordvis Produktion - 2020)
Score: 82

https://overthevoids.bandcamp.com/album/hadal