One Listen Review
1st Listen – 10 Oct 2023
Reviewed – 13 Oct 2023
The Answer Lies in the Black Void – Thou Shalt
Burning World Records
Released 13 Oct 2023
Thou Shalt is the second album from duo The Answer Lies in the Black Void and it follows their well-received debut, ‘Forlorn’. Described as ‘atmospheric laden avant-doom’, the band tap into the world of female-fronted ethereal vocal doom metal, a genre that can be both very heavy and enchanting.
Key to the delivery of this album is that the band are a duo. Martina Horváth provides the vocals and the immensely talented multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen providing all instruments across all 9 tracks on the album.
Thou Shalt starts well enough, with the opening track ‘Ataraxia’ providing doomy riffs and silky vocals, all the while being underpinned by keys that are almost superbly contradictory to the song in that they are almost uplifting. It is a strong start and immediately piques the interest.
Unfortunately for Thou Shalt, the tracks on the album are not all as good as the opener. There is a lack of consistency across the album that could perhaps be the result of the band only having 2 members.
A lack of differing opinions may be the reason for the weaker tracks. This lack of consistency does not, however, mean the tracks are poor, there is just a difference between the strong tracks and the weaker, with the stronger tracks tending to faster paced.
When listening to the album, there is a pervading feeling that the doom in the slow tracks, such as album closer ‘Vaporize’, is not heavy enough to counter-act the slow pace. ‘To Kill the Father’ is an example of exemplary vocals and excellent guitar work being overshadowed by minimalist doom. It is disappointing, as you feel just a little bit sorry for the band.
That said, the good definitely outweighs the disappointing. ‘In Obsidian Clouds’ has dirgy riffs, and opens with nice keys that welcome you into one of the heavier tracks. ‘Shadow Work’ finds Köhnen’s riffs sitting behind the vocals, allowing Horváth to dominate the track. Midway through, the song features a magnificent scream that will leave you begging for more of the same. ‘Jhieronmus’ has the riff above the vocals and an impactful bass that impresses. Title Track, ‘Thou Shalt’ contains superb drums sat behind the keys, with the vocals wailing away in the back ground.
The mid-section of Thou Shalt is really quite impressive, but it is let down by weaker early tracks and a slow ending to the album.
As I only listen to an album once before I review it, it is inherently unfair to judge an album by this method. Thou Shalt is an album that will utterly warrant further listens. There is no danger that this album will not grow on the listener. The tracks referred to as ‘weaker’ could well become stronger tracks, and perhaps the doom is heavy enough for the slow pace on subsequent listens.
This will be listened to again.
Band Website: https://www.theanswerliesintheblackvoid.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAnswerLiesInTheBlackVoid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanswerliesintheblackvoid
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