Voodus - Open the Otherness

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There’s a special feature in the Swedish Black Metal scene: when a traditional Black Metal band mixes the natural harsh aggressiveness of the genre with melodies, it doesn’t change their own work into melodic Black Metal, it still sounds as Black Metal in the deeper essence of the genre. And VOODUS in another very good act from Sweden, unleashing its musical fury with “Open the Otherness”.

They walk in a similar way like NAGLFAR and LORD BELIAL: they use sharp and darkened melodies to temper (and enrich) their aggressive and brutal music, creating charming and somber contrasts. But they really are courageous to make such musical way work on a release with only two long songs as this EP. But who dare wins, and they have won, indeed. The sound quality of the EP was done with enough care to make their music sound aggressive and harsh, but with a clear aesthetics that allows the listeners to comprehend and assimilate their songs. The instrumental tunes used are excellent as well, keeping the aggressiveness abrasive, but defined.

“Open the Otherness” lasts more than 13 minutes, but it’s full of rhythmic changes and ambiances (some clean and melancholic moments are incredible), with excellent guitars (it seems to be a feature of Swedish Black Metal scene). And “Pillars of Fire” uses the same elements, but with a different insight, using a more traditional aesthetics, but without tearing the personal charm of the band (and bass guitar and drums are doing very good arrangements). And by the way: the tunes of the vocals are a bit different from the traditional shrieks, with a cruder tune on a normal voice.
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Well, “Open the Otherness” is a fine EP, of that kind that creates expectations on the fans. So let’s hope that next VOODUS’ album can come as soon as possible!

Musicianship: 9
Songwriting: 9
Memorability: 8
Production: 8