Lately, the cold North’s melodeath scene isn’t as inspiring as it used to be (sorry, but that’s the truth). All prominent acts made their breakthroughs long ago, and now they watch current trends from their safe thrones. Concurrently, new powers arise from the underground, trying to leave their own mark. Voidfallen from Finland, formed just six years ago, is a band that should intrigue anyone genuinely interested in exploring uncharted dark territories (if any remain…).
With their sophomore album, “The Rituals of Resilience”, Voidfallen make it unmistakably clear that they know the rules of the game. Whilst retaining the ferocity of the melodeath scene, they also focus on making their melodies catchy and “ear-friendly”, emphasizing the dual guitar work. Supported by a production team that makes their sound clear, near-polished, and heavy enough, Voidfallen essentially remind you why melodeath resonated so strongly during your musical journeys to the North.
The greyish, grim atmosphere -aligned with the mystic and somewhat pagan artwork- is firmly rooted in their riffing and symphonic backing. Fortunately, despite its notable contribution to the depth and expansiveness of the songs, the symphonic element isn’t overused. On the contrary, keyboard lines make some ideas “colder” and more Finnish-to-the-bone while adding a cinematic feeling to tracks like “Pyres of Vengeance” and the closing “The Mourning Shores”.
In a cohesive work lasting forty-three minutes, it’s not that hard for someone literate in Scandinavian culture to discern Voidfallen’s influences. At times, their connection to Dark Tranquility emerges blatantly -like the visible tip of an iceberg- while Insomnium’s cold melancholy, occasional black metal chords (“The Original Wound”, “Hymn for the Fallen”), and a few folkish touches showcase a diversity in approach sought after by many bands. Guitarists Kangaskortet and Vuorenmaa serve as catalysts for a full-blown melodeath experience, interweaving aggressive, galloping patterns with epic themes, always harmonizing with the tight rhythm section and Honkola’s vocal lines. Indeed, the band perform as one piece, revealing their meticulous and thorough work despite their short time together so far.
Voidfallen carve their path diligently, gleefully embracing the building blocks of their sound. Although their intentions become evident from the opener “Threads of Blood”, I deem the second half of the album as more intriguing in terms of structure and dramaturgy, with songs like “Tread with the Ghosts” and “From the Towers of Ivory” balancing aggression and grandeur. Similarly, the titular track may “speak” through its noteworthy, appealing riffs and dramatic tone, followed closely by the excellent “Pyres of Vengeance” (it’s there that you may find the album’s peak). Another highlight comes toward the end, where the melancholy and nostalgia of “The Mourning Shores” evoke the role that “Pyres on the Coast” had in Amorphis’ “Queen of Time”.
I’d never claim that the Finnish open new perspectives for the genre (in fact, they don’t bring anything new to the table). Rather, Voidfallen succeed in integrating well-known elements to craft something enjoyable and worth listening to. Indeed, their blend of melodeath harshness, hymnic elements, and symphonic layers is orchestrated in such a way that you can’t resist another trip into familiar, chilling soundscapes. Certainly, “The Rituals of Resilience” has some moments of strong sentimental impact that will linger with you through your listening sessions.
♦ 7,5/10
Alex Nikolaidis
