Review Summary: "Dancing to the beat of a manipulative heart."
Metalcore is a genre I have a finicky relationship with, particularly with the stunningly mediocre recent releases from my old favourites (see: Parkway Drive, Bullet For My Valentine). So when I first listened to Void of Vision after their recent inclusion on the Good Things festival lineup (amongst peers of stunning quality), my expectations were far exceeded. While it’s nothing too innovative or game-changing, across its 11 minute length, Disturbia is energetic, pissed off, and fluidly balanced between its aggressive and melodic traits.
The EP blasts into action on “Spite” after its faint studio background noise intro, with the tight drop-tuned riffing and relentless drumming typical of an Architects record. From this high octane opening through the EP’s conclusion, the instrumental energy doesn’t let up for a second. Towards the end of this brief opener, guitars wail like sirens, over which Jack Bergin almost spits each word. This track seamlessly transitions into the EP’s single “Ghost in the Machine”, slamming into the track’s immensely satisfying main riff. The band’s melodic side is on full display here, with a sung chorus to provide welcome variety – however, I couldn’t call the hook anything more than functional. A glitchy Code Orange-style transition introduces following cut “You Will Bring Me Down”, the lead guitar on which hums ominously over a thunderous down-tuned backdrop. The following modulated clean chorus scratches the same itch The Amity Affliction once sought to, and it’s executed surprisingly tastefully. Final cut “Grey Area” closes the EP on a slightly weaker note, only for its lack of variation and all-too-obvious Architects influence (I expected a “blech” at any moment during the breakdown).
Void of Vision aren’t exactly innovating, but they do bring captivating energy to their tight performances on Disturbia. If they can produce an LP of this quality, Bergin and co should certainly have good things coming their way.
