Don’t worry if you weren’t acquainted with Void King when they debuted with the Zep Tepi EP last year. Its three songs are included on There is Nothing, and actually sound better here due to the heavier approach. Either way, this Indianapolis quartet offers a raw slice of blues doom on their first full-length studio album.
While the EP was largely driven by slow burns, There Is Nothing does have more variety over its eight tracks. While the tempo never exceeds the punk taste of “Brandy Knew,” the opening “Skull Junkie” and “Canyon Hammer” offer steady chugs alongside their drawn out breakdowns. Elsewhere, “Healing Crisis” showcases more restrained passages, and the heavy makeup on “Release The Hawks” and the other EP songs allows them to be even more swelling than before.
The band dynamic also helps keep things tight. Jason Kindred’s vocals are the primary point of appeal, boasting Glenn Danzig’s charisma and Phil Anselmo’s haggard drawl on the most recent DOWN EPs. In addition, guitarist Tommy Miller has stepped up in comparison to the EP and is largely responsible for the overwhelming rawness at work.
The track listing may be the real nitpick concerning this album. Certain songs could enhance the album’s scope if placed differently but their placements lessen their impact. This is best seen with the closing tracks as “Release The Hawks” begs to be a climactic finale. The following “DFI (That Was Not An Owl)” may be the better tracks but it may have also been stronger if it had been placed toward the beginning.
If you’re a fan of Danzig, Melvins, and anything in between, you wouldn’t go wrong with giving Void King a listen. The bluesy edge keeps the doom from feeling too slow and the sludge from being too abrasive. Their first full-length shows why they’re one of the finest bands in the Indy metal scene and one can hope that they become even more noteworthy in time.
Highlights:
“Skull Junkie”
“Raise The Flags On Fire”
“Healing Crisis”
“DFI (That Was Not An Owl)”