Void of Sleep – The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare (Review)

This is the fourth album from Italian progressive doom/sludge metallers Void of Sleep.

It feels like an age has passed since 2020’s sterling record Metaphora, so it’s great that Void of Sleep grace us with their progressive doom/sludge metal once more. Containing 52 minutes of new material, The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare is an album to spend some quality time with, unlocking its multitude of secrets.

After a superfluous intro, (which just rolls seamlessly into the first song, so why bother with a separate track for it? Things like this annoy me an irrational amount), we get down to business, and the Void of Sleep business is very profitable and productive indeed. The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare is a progressive sludge doom powerhouse. It’s multifaceted and boasts a wealth of of musical depth to explore.

The songs are well-crafted and the band’s performances are tight and expressive. Void of Sleep’s songwriting comes to life across six songs that showcase a band at the height of their powers. The music is atmospheric, weighty, and filled with engaging content that’s satisfying and feeling-rich. Every song feels like a journey, like the band have put everything into shaping something that has a life of its own, but also fits immaculately into the greater whole. There is a level of worldbuilding on The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare that’s immersive and absorbing.

Void of Sleep have clearly put a lot of time, effort, and passion into this album. It’s controlled and directed down specific avenues, yet the passion that ultimately drives it is clear for all to see. The band’s grasp of its constituent parts – elements of the sludge, doom, and progressive metal styles, predominantly – has allowed them to create a collection of songs that make a good initial impact, but an even stronger one over time. This is an album that grows on the listener, with hooks and memorability that are deeply embedded in its core.

It’s been a lengthy wait, but the return of Void of Sleep has been a triumph. If you’re a fan of this sort of doomy, sludgy, progressive metallic worldbuilding, then The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare is an essential listen.

Fans of bands Like Anciients, Dvne, Huntsmen, Lord Dying, Mastodon, The Ocean, Psychonaut, Tool, and Yob should be all over this like a bad rash.