Melbourne metalcorers Void Of Vision go heavy, both lyrically and instrumentally, on their frank fourth record…
To say Void Of Vision’s Jack Bergin has been through a lot over the past three years would be just scratching the surface. After living through a number of intense seizures, a brain bleed and perspective-altering radiosurgery, he was left with some pretty vast questions about life, death, and what exactly he will leave behind thereafter.
What I’ll Leave Behind, the band's fourth album, sees Jack going deep into the chasm of existentialism, resulting in a massively heavy record that feels incredibly purposeful and vital. It tracks from disaster to acceptance, to navigating trauma, uncertainty, loss and learning, and is just as brutal instrumentally.
This band do girthy guitar and striking synth work very well, here more than ever, with Blood For Blood just one example. It’s almost reminiscent of Bring Me The Horizon, tying together their modern electro with their old-school style of attack, but with a VOV boot print stamped all over it, making it feel new.
Each track offers a vibrant twist on heavy, with Neurotic delivering full-fat riffs and darkly sexy femme whispers. Album closer Angel Of Darkness brings the story back to Jack’s alter-ego of the same name, the thing that got him through the balance of making art and getting better. This persona became a ‘shadow-self’ and a creative idea that enabled Jack to take the time he needed to relax, yet still make the art he wanted to make. Its electronic elements carry the character of ‘00s clubland music, making for a nostalgic listen for the scene kids who would once share nightcore remixes via bluetooth with their mates.
What I’ll Leave Behind is an exemplary executed picture of pain and vulnerability. Full of agro bangers, it takes uncomfortable themes of life, trauma, and mortality and catalyses them into tracks that feel both lyrically impactful and musically vibrant. This is not a sit-still listen, it’s moving – emotionally and physically.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Bring Me The Horizon, Graphic Nature, Bad Omens
What I’ll Leave Behind is released on September 20 via UNFD
