It takes a lot to summon a whole root system of possibilities in 14 minutes, but that’s precisely what the Dutch outfit Deathless Void accomplishes on this ferocious debut EP. The opening track writhes and roils through various levels of confrontational noise as it sets a mean-spirited stage somewhat reminiscent of Haemoth.
An album of this red-lined squall would be exhausting, but as a way to build tension it excels. That tension absolutely explodes into gale-force whiplash on “The Shattered Realms of Man Become the Abyss,” a song which, if nothing else demonstrates that Deathless Void’s drummer is an immense talent. The song cycles from hyperspeed black metal tinged with industrial futurism in the vein of Thorns or Spekter to more midpaced grooves that nevertheless retain a cold, steel bite.
The closing track, “Crossing the Threshold,” takes up a full half of these 14 minutes, but it uses that span to dig deep into low, menacing churn (again, witness the frantic tom rolls that come in around 37 seconds in and tell me the drummer isn’t a force) and to run a killer riff (the one that pops up at 2:55 or so) through a corrosive Darkthrone filter not unlike early Craft. The song luxuriates in a long, tumultuous fadeout which feels thoughtful and well-earned.
The best thing about this EP might also be its most double-edged, because given how these three songs are each so different from one another, it is nearly impossible to predict what a Deathless Void full-length might sound like. With such interesting roots, though, it will be worth watching to see what flowers.
