Review Summary: Razor-sharp technical thrash that blends old and new into a cohesive, theatrical narrative
VOID’s emergence from the swamps of Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2021 marked a deliberate re-imagining of thrash - a band that does not merely replicate the past but attempt to decode its ciphers within a modern, dynamic soundscape. Their sophomore album,
Forbidden Morals, runs just under 46 minutes of medieval, dark horror where thrash is re-framed through the skeletal rigor of the genre, yet amplified by the imposing melody and epic depth of the archetypal heavy metal. This dual allegiance to speed and spectacle - two halves of a broader metal sensibility - pervades the album, revealing a maturity that elevates VOID beyond a mere tribute to early giants and into a living, self-authored idiom.
Central to the record’s impact is a guitar partnership between Chris Braune and Gabe LeJeune. Their work leans into virtuosity without devolving into showmanship; instead, their impetuous and lyrical solos crystallize the dramatic core of each track. By drawing inspiration from revered guitar duos in metal history (early Megadeth, Mercyful Fate, & King Diamond), VOID situates itself within a venerable lineage while pushing forward with a flexible, modern approach. Guitars function beyond flashy technique, serving as a narrative that unfolds new twists and turns with every chapter. Throughout the album, atmosphere, tension, and proclamation emerge as central motifs guiding emotional progression and interpretation.
Vocalist Jackson Davenport adds a compelling dimensionality to the sound. His vocal output - ranging from screams to falsetto cries - paints the songs with theatricality, complemented by mid-range yells and occasional “crowd” shrieks that heighten the drama. This vocal architecture supports the album’s overarching aesthetic: a blend of raw ferocity and lyrical resonance that makes abstract aggression feel emotionally legible. Blake Adams’s bass deserves equal notice; it transcends mere rhythm to become a distinct, multidimensional voice within the mix, imparting groove and propulsion that sustain momentum across the record’s extensive instrumental passages.
Production choices further define
Forbidden Morals, favoring a hazy, shadowy texture that echoes the band’s theatrical ambitions while preserving clarity of performance. This sonic palette intensifies the mood, allowing the epic and the intimate to coexist: a setting in which the album’s strongest moments achieve their fullest emotional and technical expression. The ten-minute closing track,
Beneath… Lives the Impaler, embodies the album’s apex: intensity, depth, and a synthesis of eclectic solos that culminate in a memorable, almost mythic close.
Ultimately, VOID’s
Forbidden Morals demonstrates that technical mastery, speed, theatricality, and melodic sensibility can be harmonized into a coherent, forward-looking metal statement. Where other bands might echo the past, VOID attempts to craft a distinctive voice - one that honors tradition while asserting individuality. This heavy metal record comes in the form of a narrative art, where each riff, each breath of guitar, and each carefully paced tempo shift contributes to a larger mosaic of darkness, drama, and enduring power.
Recommended tracks:
Forbidden morals
Judas Cradle
Valeria
Apparition
By Silver Light
Beneath…Lives the Impaler
