Before I opened this CD, I knew it was going to be good...really good—maybe one of the best albums of 2006. How did I know this? Well, lets just say Intronaut’s astounding EP “Null” earlier this year was excellent foreshadowing…. As impressive as Null was, Void is even more remarkable, and boasts a much longer length than its predecessor. Across seven tracks, Intronaut creates a powerful sonic landscape few bands are able to achieve. Ranging from intricate guitar synchronization and jazzy bass lines to thunderous crescendos and barked vocals, Intronaut balances the forces nearly perfectly on Void.
The most striking feature of the album is the command these musicians have over their instruments. Every note fits perfectly with every other, though also stands on its own as a distinct part of the bigger picture. In many instances the band has an offbeat style riffing similar to Meshuggah, but as quickly as the band falls into a definite groove they switch it up and delve into a diverse instrumental section with shrill guitars and obscure drumming. In an instant, the band can go from a quite minimalist drum-atmosphere to a roaring upsurge—throughout this album the instrumentation definitely takes center-stage.
Somewhat sparse but consistent best describes the vocals, as they remain fierce throughout the disc. Every word is delivered with a roaring bark reminiscent of earlier Scott Kelly. In contrast to the varied and copious instrumentals, the vocals aren’t quite as diverse and remain at a growl the entirety of the disc. All things considered, the vocals could use a bit more variation. However, with the sheer wall of sound created with drum, guitar and bass, the vocals happily take a back seat.
As with all progressive, mainly instrumentally driven metal, ties to bands like ISIS and Neurosis are nearly unavoidable, yet are seen in very small doses here. Intronaut is able to create a sound all their own, drawing from various genres and styles. If the two albums put forth are any indication, this group of extremely talented artists has a future ‘Void’ of any criticisms of unoriginality.| Reviewer: Chris Hodge Added: November 13th 2006 |
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