Detroit City’s most deathy doomers Temple of Void come hurtling out of the blocks with their fifth full-length. ‘The Crawl’ may sound a little more pedestrian but, by Lucifer’s zebra crossing at the gates of Hades, this anything but.
Something that these seasoned songwriters have in spades is dynamics. Opener ‘Poison Icon’ is a perfect example with its darting lead lines from the off that carry the listener on an almost Maiden-esque wave…that crashes straight into a gargantuan pit of death metal hellishness and face-pulling. Rise up out of this, and you are carried by a semi-acoustic tide, a section that holds so much groove and warmth, that you kind of want it to go on for a lot longer.
Temple Of Void have definitely awoken on this record. Crushing depth and breath-shortening riffs gouge a cavernous sonic realm in tracks such as ‘Godless Cynic’ and title track ‘The Crawl’, and highlight a skill that maybe didn’t shine quite as much on the last couple of albums.
It’s not all growling and misery here (…things Yogi Bear never actually said). Forging into vibrant grooves and near-post punk rhythms in ‘A Dead Issue’ and ‘Soulburn’ gives ‘The Crawl’ a variety that albums within this vein often need. You are very aware that, as the meaty closer ‘The Twin Stranger’ drifts off, there has been no room for daydreaming or letting the mind wander.
‘The Crawl’ is focused and well-executed, and stands out as a worthy leader in this week’s releases. Get on all fours and embrace it.
Best Paired With: Sarah Connor’s sunglasses, wound-down windows and a thunderbolt.
Reviewed by Jaff.
‘The Crawl’ by Temple of Void is out now on Relapse Records.
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