REVIEW: Karkaos – Children Of The Void by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy

Melodic extreme metal act Karkaos from Canada formed in 2003 and quickly built a formidable presence in their home country following their successful 2011 EP ‘In Burning Skies’ and then in 2014 they unleashed their full-length debut ‘Empire’ to help solidify this further. Now they return with their new, to be self-released album ‘Children Of The Void’ which features a new and unstoppable line-up with vocalist Viky Boyer and drummer Justine Ethier at the helm. To add more power to this anticipated release they enlist some guest musicians in the form of Lindsay Schoolcraft from Cradle of Filth and Morgan Lander from Kittie.

Opening intro track ‘Babel’ is very atmospheric and dramatic, building suspense with a determination and glimmer of hope that increases as it draws to an end, making it the perfect way to gear you up for what is to unfold…

‘Skymaster’ explodes to life with a massive symphonic sound, blitzing guitars and fast drums, with Viky Boyer’s compelling and impressive vocals fitting the relentless instrumentation and the contrasting fierce vocals from guitarist, Vincent Harnois wonderfully. This is overwhelming but in a brilliant, huge and all-consuming way.

First single ‘Kolossòs’ is crushing from the off, with a haunting intensity aided especially by the vocal delivery and keys. This is indeed colossal in every way, and it helps that it features immense guest vocals from Morgan Lander of Canadian metallers Kittie. This is an unstoppable and divine offering that encapsulates the album and the band’s sound.

Title track ‘Children Of The Void’ is immediately ambient and features many tempo changes, but never loses its fluency. The charging verses are intense and the whole song shifts between beautiful twists and turns, and enthrals with slick and impressive guitar as seen throughout the album, the nature and the vibe of the song feels very unified.

‘Tyrants’ blasts into action with alarming symphonic sounds and growled vocals. Again the band play to their strengths hitting you from every direction and overloading you, with clean, brutal, sinister hushed tones and gang vocals adding, even more depth which the album is simply brimming with.

The final offering ‘Bound By Stars’ is beautiful and eerie with passionate heartfelt lyrics from Viky. It is the longest song in length, giving it an epic feel through strength and duration, as well as the ever melodic resonant tones and soaring solo guitar work from Samael Pelletier that he exhibits throughout.

This is a fantastic attack on the senses, which is captivating, exhilarating, suspenseful, yet brutal. It is excellently structured and features impressive musicianship from the whole band. There is such depth and intelligence, through intricate fine details, that it most certainly need to be stuck on repeat to help process and appreciate every moment. This is massively majestic and leaves a lasting impression and asserts that Karkaos are a band to watch out for.

SCORE: 5/5

‘Children Of The Void’ is self-released on 26th May 2017.

Album Pre-Order available on Bandcamp at https://karkaosofficial.bandcamp.com/album/children-of-the-void-pre-order

Track Listing:
1. Babel
2. Skymaster
3. Kolossòs
4. Let the Curtain fall
5. Pale
6. Children of The Void
7. Rêverie
8. Tyrants
9. Where Mushrooms Grow
10. Lightbearer
11. The Beast
12. Bound By Stars

For More Info:

http://www.facebook.com/karkaos
http://www.instagram.com/karkaosofficial

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