(CD, Aural Music, 2015)
There is absolutely no right way to filter the huge amount of new albums that see the light of day (and night too) and safely choose what will be best for you. Sure, reading the press releases can help, but they can also add confusion because most of the times the way a PR department understands music is extremely subjective and is rarely based on the writer’s listening minimum experience (far from it). One bizarre habit I have developed to help me choose what to listen is the album’s cover artwork. Sure, nowadays the majority of them is made with the help of computer software and hence lack of the painting’s quality and depth, but some are still great. So, having this filter on, I was drawn to the second LP by Italy’s VOID OF SLEEP and of course the “New World Order” title had something to do with this. I mean, who doesn’t like dealing with conspiracy theories and at the same time hope that everything has little to do with reality (even though I fear it doesn’t...)?
I had the strong feeling that this album would be awesome and for sure the down-tuned guitar riff along with the Sludge crushing bass sound were just a couple of strong signs that I was right. Yeah, “The Devil’s Conjuration” starts things up with an almost intro-like part and most interesting vocals that do not reveal the Italian origins of the band. You see, the Italians just like the Greeks have unique English pronunciations that sometimes work and sometimes they don’t. Anyway, the basslines take one step forward and push the band closer to the Sludge norms with lots of groove but without the ultra-distorted sound. It doesn’t take much time for the guitar solo to reveal the Progressive foundations of VOID OF SLEEP making a huge difference. There is quality in the band’s songwriting and a storytelling attitude that serves the lyrics like the most dedicated First Footman does for hi Lord. Yes, listening to the CORROSION OF CONFORMITY groove as you try to absorb what Burdo is singing about, will get you hooked right from the start and you’ll fail to understand that you have just moved to the next song. Indeed, the music flows smoothly between the first two tracks before switching gears into the faster and riff-driven “Slaves Shall Serve”. I guess this is the moment to call out some Stoner finishing touches with an almost CLUTCH quality of their heavier side. Or you may prefer the Desert Rock references oozing from the killer riff that slowly lifts the curtain for “Ordo Ab Chao” where heaviness is still on the menu. Be ready to start singing/humming along the catchy chorus before diving deeper in the guitar leads that hide behind the massive rhythm section.
VOID OF SLEEP are offering a hearty and a multi-course meal with “New World Order” that - of course - will need more time to be fully digested. But trust me, you will totally enjoy the process like for example when you try to decipher the fourteen minutes of “Ending Time” that will leave you hungry for more as if you have just finished reaching the first part of a really long read. The way the album’s mix has given to the bass the leading role works great and fits like a tailored suit to the multi-character singing.
Once again, my hunch worked like a trained dog’s nose and sniffed out this killer album that I am already hunting down in vinyl form. VOID OF SLEEP have created a massive LP that will grant you lots of listening time as you unravel the multiple layers that like to bleed in each other without missing a bit from the overall Doom / Sludge heaviness.
9/10
Links:
Tracklist:
01. The Devil’s Conjuration
02. Hidden Revelations
03. Slaves Shall Serve
04. Order Ab Chao
05. Lords Of Conspiracy
06. New World Order
07. Ending Theme
Lineup:
Paso - Bass
Allo - Drums
Gale - Guitar
Burdo - Vocals, Guitar