Release
date: August
18th
2018. Label: Kozmik
Artifactz.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Rift
– Tracklisting
1.Extinction
Event
2.On
We Sail
3.Arcane
Mystic
4.Transient
5.Arrival
6.Ark
Debris
7.Shrine
Members
James
Marshall – guitar/vocals
Shadi
Omar Al-Khansa- guitar
Luke
Baker – bass
Thomas
Colley - drums
Review
Forming
The Void made quite the impression last year when they released their
second album Relic. Relic was an album that won major praise within
the Sludge/Stoner Metal community with the music influenced by Led
Zepplin and Mastodon. Relic was a trippy and heavy psychedelic affair
which even ended up on our best albums of 2017 list.
Forming
The Void has return with their epic new album Rift. Newly signed to
Kozmik Artifactz. Rift follows the same path as Relic but with a more
groove orientated sound. Forming The Void's Sludge Rock/Metal vibes
that made a huge part of Relic are still here but there not as
direct. As Forming The Void perform a more Psychedelic Stoner Metal
sound with heavy moments of Doom Metal and Classic Rock creating a
more exciting sound.
Opening
song - Extinction Event - has a Led Zepplin style groove but with
Forming The Void's modern sounding Psychedelic flair with traces of
Progressive Sludgy Rock. The mood even changes to Ambient Post Rock
at times. However it's the heavy riffs and the superb vocals of James
make
this a winning track to open the album with.
Second
track - On We Sail - is perhaps my favourite song on the album. As
Forming The Void create a sludgy and spaced out heavy sound. The
lyrics are superbly written and the song has a catchy sing-along
chorus. Forming The Void maybe channelling their inner-Mastodon at
times but the band pulls this off with their own distinctive style.
Third
track - Arcane Mystic - is inspired by classic rock sounds of the
last forty years or so which is offset by a heavy progressive Spaced
Out Stoner Metal sound. The lyrics are quite clever as they elevate
this song to a more spiritual level. Most of the songs on the album
run around near the five to six minute mark. So you can expect to
hear different styles of progressive music on Rift.
Fourth
song - Transient - is another highlight with Forming The Void opting
for a slower sound with the song having a more personal feel. The
vocals from James
impress yet again. The song does become heavier as time passes by.
Though the mellow post-rock parts of the song are my favourite parts.
As it shows how Forming The Void have progressed as songwriters and
musicians from their last album.
The
final three songs Arrival, Ark Debris and Shrine see Forming The Void
returning to their trademark Psychedelic heavy sound. Cosmic and Ark
Debris offer more Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves as the band keep up the
trippy and space rock sound they have built their reputation upon.
The last track, Shrine is an epic ten minute plus song that features
some of the band's best music to date. As the song moves in so many
different directions and when it the album does finally end, you're
left wanting more. That's a good thing. As you will be entertained
throughout this epic album.
Rift
is a different album to Relic. It may have similar sounds and ideas.
However Rift takes you on a more personal and spiritual journey. The
production on Rift is simply first rate. With the album sounding
fresh and super heavy from the start.
Relic
made me a fan of Forming The Void's music. However Rift has made
Forming The Void become one of my favourite bands. Rift will be
considered as one of the best albums of the year. Simply unmissable
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Forming
The Void and Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Rift will
be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via KozmikArtifactz from August
18th
2018.
Links:
