ETHEREAL VOID
ETHEREAL VOID "Gods Of A Dead World"
By Dr. Abner Mality
One thing I will give this Canadian band right from the jump is that they've come up with a unique sound. There's nothing else out there quite like this. Now whether that unique sound is also a GOOD sound is a subject that can be debated.
It's an odd record for sure. They embrace the death metal tag and describe their music as "brutal" but this is not much like standard Swedish or American death metal. The big focus is on melodic lead guitar by Nemesis which can often be described as tasteful and shredding. It's not insane cat strangling noise or viciously technical at all...melo-death fans and even straight heavy metal folks should appreciate it. It's these leads which are the touchpoint of ETHEREAL VOID's style. Unfortunately, the other aspects of that style are wanting. They have very obviously used programmed drums here and it sure sounds like it. There isn't an ounce of humanity to these artificial beats...they are robotic and monotonous. It hurts the album.
Also causing pain are the vocals from the rather ironically named Voiicide. He sounds like a guy at the bar too long trying to imitate a real death metal singer. The vocals are cartoonish and not terribly brutal, although the raspier tones are more effective than the growls. Between the off-kilter vocals, the processed android drumming and also the subdued bass work, ETHEREAL VOID gives themselves a high mountain to climb. There is definite interest to what they are doing and they are wise enough to keep things short and compact. The final judgment on "Gods of A Dead World" is that it is decidedly average even if it is somewhat original.