Temple of the Void's album "Summong the Slayer" made the 4 spot of our Top 10 Death Metal albums of 2022. Four years later, we are seeing if the band can still bring it like that against the death metal competition of 2026, which is still awaiting releases from Frozen Soul and 200 Stab Wounds. The kick things off with guitar solos blazing. It moves fast when called for to get your attention, but they are not about to sacrifice the song for the sake of speed. They no longer feel the need to prove who they are. The vocals are growled in a purposeful manner that is articulated enough to get the point across.
The title track features melodic guitar colors mixed into the grind of a more traditional death metal sound, moving with purpose rather than a feral blast. 'A Dead Issue " shows the most impressive display of songwriting so far. It features hooky riffs and a groove that keeps your head moving while offering space in the arrangement to let the ambiance settle in with a darker creep. This is the best song on the album as "Thy Mountain Eternal" has some melodic nuance but does not hook you in tightly.
They return to the hookier songwriting on "Soulburn.", The verse riff is really solid on the last song "The Twin Stranger," as it has an Entombed-like punch to it. There are some strong riffs on this album, but I feel like " A Dead Issue" set the bar really high, and while they have matured by streamlining somethings, this album does not grab me like the previous one, though it is still a great album so I will give it a 9, setting them firmly in the top tier death metal releases this year so far. But perhaps not bringing it like Monstrosity. Out on Relapse Records.
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