Review by Rosh on September 24, 2023.

Pentagram should need no introduction to long-time metal listeners, being one of the most classic bands in doom and heavy metal. They've spawned quite a legacy with their many studio albums and remarkable rehearsal tapes from the 70's. That said, there is no better band than one such as Church of Void, who occupy the same space of rocking trad doom, to deliver a stunning tribute to Pentagram.

This is, in all respects an excellent and fresh cover of the thumping standard "Forever My Queen", executed exquisitely both in studio and live, both of which have a very organic feel to them. The basic riffs are not altered, and the overall tone is closer to the basement feel of the 70's version featured on First Daze Here than it is to the grime of the one on Review Your Choices, which is nice to see for the sake of maximum authenticity, even if I do prefer the RYC version.

Despite this authenticity, though, I mentioned that Church of Void's rendition of this classic feels fresh, and that is primarily due to three factors. Firstly, Magus Corvus' vocals sound nothing like Bobby Liebling's yet still they suit the song. His pronounced Finnish accent is buried under a heavy echo in the studio version, but considering how up front the vocals were in the original 70's version of "Forever My Queen", this is a nice change of pace.

Second, the winding riff ("the situation is all wrapped up") after the first verse has always been a standout moment to me in Pentagram's music, reminding me that it is still a doom metal song despite its faster tempo (though plenty of traditional doom songs are played at this speed anyway). It's minor, but Church of Void's take on this riff sounds fantastic, as it captures that same mystical feel the original had. Beyond doubt, this cements my claim that a fellow trad doom band should be the one to cover this track, rather than the many other bands who have attempted it.

Finally, the drumming has a different feel in Church of Void's cover. It's actually more energetic compared the relatively simplistic beat that introduces the original cut (on both First Daze Here and on Review Your Choices), and while I did not think this was possible, it actually leads into the mammoth of a power chord riff just as well as the originals. Well done, guys.

Church of Void is a great band who sadly broke up in 2018. Nonetheless, they have left us with two excellent full length albums which are modern classics of the rocking doom/heavy metal style, which is my favorite style of doom. The user Doominance on Metal Archives (who has written many insightful reviews for my favorite bands) stated in his review of Church of Void's first album that their music is like being in a winter forest and getting impaled with a cold steel blade, but then being found and sheltered in a warm cabin and nursed back to health with whiskey by the fireplace. Brilliant analogy, one that I would extend to their entire discography, not just Dead Rising. Overall, I'm impressed with this band that I can say this much about a couple versions of an under 3 minute cover song, and that's because it's a fantastic cover, the best anyone has ever done of this famous Pentagram song.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Michael on October 5, 2022.

Viscera is the second album by British deathers Strigoi. I have to say that I knew it would be released in late 22 but when it popped out in my inbox yesterday I was pretty surprised to see that it came already out on September 30th. Well, I'm glad that I got it because the album is musically adequate for my mood these days. If you would ask my family you would get as response that this doesn't go along with too many positive connotations…..

Well, Viscera has become a very slow and hateful album that doesn't leave any space for light or positive emotions. It is a perfect soundtrack for the fucked-up state that our world is in in 2022 (and probably far beyond this year). The songs are pretty slow and peppered with malevolence and darkness in every single tune. Here and there you can see the past of guitarist Greg Mackintosh when he uses some very old Paradise Lost riffs from their debut album but this is only marginal ('United In Viscera' is an example for that). The 10 tracks with a total running time of about almost 47 minutes offer a lot of brutal doomy parts with remorseless sawing guitars and thundering drums and the uncomfortable and morbid atmosphere is additionally emphasized through the sick gurgling sore throat of Gregs vocals. In some parts you can find some crust elements, too and with 'Napalm Frost' the quartet has also a very fast death metal track at the start but the main focus lies on the slow all mowing-down melodies. The madness that Strigoi second album is spreading and is often underlined with some disturbing noises or samples that intensify the negativity of this output even more. Tracks like 'Hollow', 'Redeemer' or 'Bathed In A Black Sun' with their absolute hopeless lyrics are top notch if you want to get depressed (or already have something going on ). Do you need an example of the lyrics? (taken from 'Redeemer')

“Oh foul redeemer embodied in blood
Cast forth thy malady
And rid the world of all of us
Inhale the suffering upon the cusp” (taken from “Redeemer”)

It is no easy listening stuff that the Brits composed and with all the rest it tends to be pretty challenging. You won't be able to find a niche to settle down in your comfort zone anywhere here. But I have to admit that Viscera may be reflecting the zeitgeist of 2022 in a very matching musical way: brutal, gloomy, hopeless, desperate and hateful. This album is pretty much like a Death Eater. It doesn't leave you happy on your couch or wherever you may consume it; it sucks you in, takes all your positive emotions and fills you with feelings you rather don't want and then spits you out after you were tied in the 'Iron Lung' unable to move or speak. Uaaargh, what a nightmare!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 horrid visions