VOID MOON - SWEDEN

VOID MOON - THE RUNES THAT BIND - OBELISK POLARIS  
Void Moon is a doom metal band from Sweden that has a three-song EP. The Runes That Bind sees the group as a trio, following the joining of guitarist Fredrik Theander’s last year. The EP has its hits and misses.
Orphans Of The Sky is characteristically doomy with mournful wailing guitars. The song carries some emotional depth, while singer Marcus Rosenqvist clearly e.nun.ci.ates his words and speaks of scripture. The melody and the vocals are faintly reminiscent of late 1960s ballads. Hear it at 1:58. The drum sound is tepid, but there is an attention-grabbing guitar slide and lead later. The title track has a bardishly slow start with acoustic guitars before the distortion kicks in. It is doom metal and so is both mellow and heavy. It is of average interest. There is nothing bad about it, really, but it is too simplistic and straightforward for me, regardless of the fact that it is doom metal. The drumming, likely programmed, in particular needs to vary its beat once in a while. The mellow piano opening of Constellation, provided by Dark Tranquillity drummer Joakim Strandberg-Nilsson, clashes with the opening line, "Into the vortex…" This song could be compared to the second and third Solitude Aeternus albums. It is simple in form and offers uncomplicated arrangements that are easy to get into. Hear the start a second time and it sounds like the melody for Supertramp's Breakfast in America. Nothing bad, but nothing great either, I wouldn't mind returning to this when in the mood for some doom metal. - Anna Tergel