Band : Intervoid
Album: Weaponized (2014)
# of tracks: 11
You ever come across a new band or album that hits you just right and has all those things about music ya dig? Well this album came out of nowhere and did just that. There I was minding my own business, just letting music play on ye 'ol yark-tube and suddenly BAM! I'm diggin the FUCK outta what I was hearing. At first I thought it might've been a new MECHINA album or maybe THE FACELESS had finally released a new album, but it didn't sound quite like either of those bands. In fact there seemed to be a little bit of early 2010's FEAR FACTORY in this Cyber-infused Industrial Death Metal. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was a band I had never heard before, as I always love finding new music, especially Metal. So I did what any metal-head hungry for more would do, I went looking for the rest of their discography.
To my dismay I found out that there are only a scant few other tracks; from a Split disc, an EP and some singles (All of which can be found on their Bandcamp page: https://intervoid.bandcamp.com/) Turns out Weaponized is the only Full-Length record by the Ohio based INTERVOID and it fuckin' SLAPS!
Discordant emergency sounds that would be familiar to anyone who grew up in the tube TV era, greet the listeners ears on the opening Track I-O. These grating electrical shrieks serve to usher the audience into the foreboding world depicted by the following songs. The rest of the track only reinforces that feeling with a roboticized sample of The Architect from the Matrix...
“I've been waiting for you. You have many questions, and although the process has altered your consciousness, you remain irrevocably human. Ergo, some of my answers you will understand, and some of them you will not...Your life is the sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation... You are the eventuality of an anomaly, which despite my sincerest efforts I have been unable to eliminate from what is otherwise a harmony of mathematical precision. While it remains a burden assiduously avoided, it is not unexpected, and thus not beyond a measure of control. Which has led you, inexorably... here.”
...followed by a marching industrial beat and distorted tech static setting the stage for the man/ nature vs machine theme of the record
Now it could just be me, because I drive a manual 6-speed turbo, but bad ass songs like Ketamine are the type that are best listened to in the car with the windows down and your system up while gear shifting your way down a deserted stretch of highway. The explosive gravity bomb blasts at the beginning of the song seem almost tailor made to hit the gas and fuckin' GO leaving other motorists bewildered at what sonic sorcery just scorched by them. Enjoy responsibly, ya maniacs. (Additional note: This is the song that made me decide to review this album and my overall favorite track)
Surrealist Dichotomy starts off with some almost 8-bit style drum n bass loops that get progressively heavier and heavier, serving as a launch pad of sorts for the song. This crunchy riff romp oscillates between marching industrial beats and driving hyper blasts with tremendous aplomb. The tempo changes in this song do a lot to help it stand out from the rest of the album and the chorus, underlined by some appropriately timed stop-n-go blasts beats, make it the catchiest tune on the album.
Godlike, the first song of the album, is directly connected to the first track and begins with galloping industrial double kicks that would be at home on FEAR FACTORY albums like MECHANIZE or THE INDUSTRIALIST but then proceeds to inject the track with groove heavy, crunchy guitar. The digital elements add a menacing ambiance and play into the overall theme. The vocals are a dual layered shriek and low growl that sound like a possessed machine is after you. This is a great track for the beginning of the album proper. It grabs a hold of you and remorselessly gives you a blistering taste of what is to come. Buckle up buttercup.
The Heart of the Earth Titan takes a slightly different tack than the rest of the songs. Leaning more into magic and mythology of the earth with a chorus that invites you to growl along. “Arise myth of stone, Scar the earth and frighten, Let your power be known, The heart of the earth titan” The rest of the song elicits images of a Mythical Magma Monster destroying all in its path on a mission of vengeance for a planet scorned by machines. The composition also seems a little more traditional Progressive or Groove metal oriented with less of the Cyber Industrial adornment that the rest of the tracks sport.
Weaponized is the song that seems to encapsulate and epitomize all of the different themes of this disc. Which, I would guess, is why they chose to make it the name of the album. It also showcases the range of the band's songwriting and composition. It's a groovy progressive metal mashup that makes you wanna head bang along. The song culminates in a sweeping epic sound that seems fit for the final battle of a sci-fi video game or big budget film. The dulcet piano keys at the end are a stark contrast to the rampant destruction that is the rest of the song.
I find this album really well put together, with tracks that compliment and flow from one to the next in a way that makes sense to convey the story being told. It really is unfortunate that this is the only full length offering (so far) by this tremendously talented band. I feel like they were onto something with their music and could see it growing and maturing into a sound uniquely their own. Between their lyrical themes and deft blending of Prog, Groove and Industrial Death Metal they would stand out from scores of other bands chasing trends or what's popular. If you are into concept albums with sounds akin to FEAR FACTORY, MECHINA, and THE FACELESS, you owe it to yourself to give WEAPONIZED a listen.