This is the debut album from Scottish post-metal band Void of Light.
Featuring the vocal talent behind Ageless Summoning and Of Spire and Throne, (and more), Void of Light have arrived to bring us 48 minutes of post-metal in the form of the gargantuan Asymmetries.
The reference points for an album like this are as you might expect – Cult of Luna, Isis, Neurosis, etc. Throw in some of the wider repertoire of acts like The Ocean and Zatokrev, and you’ll have a decent idea of what you’ll experience on Asymmetries. However, Void of Light successfully inject their own personalities into their influences, making for a compelling record with much to recommend itself. Basically of you’re a fan of bands like these, you’re highly likely to appreciate Void of Light.
Asymmetries is a carefully sculpted monument to post-metal. Taking in materials from sludge, post-rock, and more, Void of Light have crafted an imposing creation. Unlike a real-world sculpture, Asymmetries breathes with life just as much as it crushes with immovable power. This is an album that combines the fragile nature of introspective detailing with the brute force of massive distortion. Void of Light are equally adept with the chisel as they are the hammer.
The songs boast a larger-than-life presence, while unexpectedly maintaining an intimate feel. The music is vast and spacious, but without sacrificing granite-hard heaviness. Powering it all is a heart of weighty emotion, allowing the music to benefit from both immediate appeal and atmospheric immersion. Wreathed in delicate motifs and adorned with intelligent splendour, yet also ripe with huge metallic riffs and piercing colourful melody, Void of Light have many assets to deploy when and where they see fit. Asymmetries is a record that balances its multiple components with artisanal skill.
This is premier stuff. The album has a lot of good ideas ideas and an enviable execution, (which includes less-seen aspects of post-metal, such as speed and clean singing).
Mixing hostility and resplendence rarely sounds as good as this. Asymmetries is a feast of atmospheric heaviness for fans of substance-rich post-metal. Void of Light manage to be reminiscent of the genre greats, while still possessing a voice of their own.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 