Voidhead – “land”
Materialized in Athens sometime around 2006, Voidhead burst out of the “void” and with a “head” full of ideas, they enter the world of discography through a vibrantly bleak and hypnotically captivating debut-album entitled “land”.
The outfit consists of Thanos (also in Straighthate) and Helm (also in Locust Leaves) while Viral Graphics is responsible for all the illustrations and lay-outs.
Voidhead thrive in a context solely inspired by nature where hypnotic drones, ethereal melodies and heavy, sludgy guitars co-exist in the most musical way.
“Land”, their first sonic “journey” released on their own Head to Avoid Recordings, consists of four, relatively long, guitar-driven compositions, four instrumental, moody odes to the physical beauties around us.
Sullen, humming soundscapes and slowly building, repetitive, haunting rhythms pave the way for discreetly gloomy, delicate yet raw guitars to take charge, fondle and embrace the listener.
A dark, nocturnal and even psychedelic, at times, ambience (prevalent especially in tracks such as “monotonous” and “schematic”) roams through Voidhead’s sonic architecture.
On the first listen, it is tempting to dismiss this as just another run-of-the-mill attempt to jump on that "post-something", Red Sparowes - meets - Tribes of Neurot - meets - Mogwai bandwagon. A second spin though drags you in further and by the third listen, you can trace some mesmerising special qualities and lots of potential in the four tracks of "land".
Special mention should go out to the graphics which, in the case of Voidhead, do not simply supplement the music but rather work together with it, towards creating a coherent and special, audiovisual experience.
To sum things up, “land” is an honest, spirited album of brooding power, a listening experience that’s definitely worthy of your precious time... and money.
Support the underground.
morethansounds/06 June 2007
