Release
date: September 18th 2015. Label: Thrill Jockey Records. Formats:
CD/DD/Vinyl
Berkana:
Tracklisting
01
Burbank's Dream
02
Silent Season
03
Dervishing
04
Astral Plane
05
I've Been Down
06
The Beacon
07
Storm and Feather
Band
Members:
Golden
Void is led by Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless with Camilla
Saufley-Mitchell (Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound), Justin Pinkerton,
and Aaron Morgan.
Review:
The
thing I love about music is its power to create strong images and
emotions in your mind and soul. It’s with great music like great
experiences, travels or highlight in your life it leaves memories and
traces of meaning in life. This is exactly what the new record from Golden Void. Berkana is a pleasant in fact uplifting
travelogue through outstanding track upon track.
This
sort of music surrounds you, eclipses you, carry you away, stealing
your time while taking you for a joyful spin, just to leave you at
the end of the road replenished and ready for another round. I don’t
mind losing time in the company of the well-crafted tunes Golden Void
conjures.
Berkana
is more of the same from Golden Void’s first self-titled full
length from 2012 in terms of atmosphere and sounds, but a lot has
somehow happened over the last three years. The new album appears
even more varied and with a larger use of different instruments such
as flutes and the use of the female vocals from keyboard player
Camilla Saufley-Mitchell. To a higher extent and with much success
Berkana incorporates the airy psychedelic-ness from Camilla’s other
band.
Opening
song Burbank’s Dream starts with a heavy riff, well there is
something new for you, followed by Isaiah Mitchells (guitar/vocal)
strong yet powerful and melodic voice. Why he doesn’t use it in the
Earthless context is still beyond my comprehension. The man has some
serious pipes.
A
song like Astral Plane really lift you up, and take you across vast
plains of shimmering light and sunshine, floating and bathing in
soothing sounds. Nothing scary or heavy darkness here. Next up is
I’ve Been Down hits you right in the face with a tight drum groove
and an aggressive guitar riff while Isaiah lets his voice out in full
roar over the hard rockin’ fundament laid down by the other band
members Justin Pinkerton (drums) and Aaron Morgan (bass).
Closer
Storm and Feather sees Golden Void and Berkana slowed down to
dragging bluesy stroller with an ambience worthy of a certain Mr.
Young and his crazy four-leggers around the time of Ragged Glory or
Broken Arrow.
With
Berkana Golden Void has taken the next step in consolidating
themselves further as not just a side-project of Mitchell but
solidifying them as independent class A band no one can deny. In fact
this albums sits well beside any hard rocking stoner rock album out
of recent years.
Words
by Niels Fuzz Bartholdy
Thanks
to Crawford at Thrill Jockey Records for the promo. Berkana will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Thrill Jockey Records from
September 18th 2015.
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