Void Of Silence Criteria Ov 666
code666 2002 Code010
By Russell Garwood
Started in 1999, Void Of Silence set out to bridge the gap between the illbient/industrial and extreme metal genres, and with Criteria Ov 666 they have done just this. The music is a writhing mass of extremity. The negative apocalyptic metal is, in fact, slow grating guitars, doomy atmospherics, extreme vocals, eerie synths, choirs, and noise, within blackened metal an intriguing amalgamation. Sick melodies are matched by abominable lyrics and dark artwork in this well-presented digipack with booklet. The band members on this recording are Malfeitor Fabban of Aborym fame providing the words, screams and whispers, then Ivan Zara (guitars and bass) and Riccardo Conforti (keyboards, drums, synths, samples) responsible for the music. What makes this huge wall of apocalyptic sludge-sound truly effective, however, is melody. Throughout the songs there are tunes which, while not in any way memorable or accessible, have a knack of building positive emotions before smashing them down again.
While the tracks can seem similar, several songs standout; Anthem for Doomed Youth has dark atmospherics, which lead into compelling rhythm guitar and extreme vocals. The music is good. Unfortunately, the lyrics are an atrocity; based not only on Wilfred Owens Anthem For Doomed Youth but a major misinterpretation of the ironic Dulce Et Decorum Est by the same poet. Editing out major (important) sections, Fabbian then has the audacity to mix these war poems with a translation of Horst Wessel Song by Horst Wessel Lied the official song of the Nazi party. After this display of amazing distaste the next standout is the slower, melodic Anger, and others include the almost catchy Nothing Immortal and Victory!.
Criteria Ov 666 is an original album and although quite inaccessible, it is a welcome, interesting listen. My only complaint other than the lyrical content and subject matter is the music is lacking in variation despite its diversity. If you are looking for something dark and original Void Of Silence may well be for you.
code666 2002 Code010
By Russell Garwood
Started in 1999, Void Of Silence set out to bridge the gap between the illbient/industrial and extreme metal genres, and with Criteria Ov 666 they have done just this. The music is a writhing mass of extremity. The negative apocalyptic metal is, in fact, slow grating guitars, doomy atmospherics, extreme vocals, eerie synths, choirs, and noise, within blackened metal an intriguing amalgamation. Sick melodies are matched by abominable lyrics and dark artwork in this well-presented digipack with booklet. The band members on this recording are Malfeitor Fabban of Aborym fame providing the words, screams and whispers, then Ivan Zara (guitars and bass) and Riccardo Conforti (keyboards, drums, synths, samples) responsible for the music. What makes this huge wall of apocalyptic sludge-sound truly effective, however, is melody. Throughout the songs there are tunes which, while not in any way memorable or accessible, have a knack of building positive emotions before smashing them down again.
While the tracks can seem similar, several songs standout; Anthem for Doomed Youth has dark atmospherics, which lead into compelling rhythm guitar and extreme vocals. The music is good. Unfortunately, the lyrics are an atrocity; based not only on Wilfred Owens Anthem For Doomed Youth but a major misinterpretation of the ironic Dulce Et Decorum Est by the same poet. Editing out major (important) sections, Fabbian then has the audacity to mix these war poems with a translation of Horst Wessel Song by Horst Wessel Lied the official song of the Nazi party. After this display of amazing distaste the next standout is the slower, melodic Anger, and others include the almost catchy Nothing Immortal and Victory!.
Criteria Ov 666 is an original album and although quite inaccessible, it is a welcome, interesting listen. My only complaint other than the lyrical content and subject matter is the music is lacking in variation despite its diversity. If you are looking for something dark and original Void Of Silence may well be for you.
