DEADVOID INC. – CHAPTERS

The album opens with 'Grounding the Unreal', which begins with a clean melodic guitar line before quickly shifting into heavier territory. As the instruments intensify, the influence of the classic Gothenburg sound becomes apparent, recalling the style popularized by bands such as IN FLAMES. Vocalist Jonne Saarinen first appears through a brief, sinister spoken passage before launching into his full, aggressive harsh vocals. The chorus proves instantly memorable, embedding itself in the listener’s mind after only a few listens. A standout moment arrives in the middle section, where the pacing briefly slows, allowing for more creative guitar work and solo passages, all supported by relentless drumming. 'Ashes and Forgiveness' begins on a noticeably softer and calmer note. Classical elements emerge early on, with what sounds like cello and possibly violin adding a gentle orchestral layer to the composition. The quiet, almost whispering vocal delivery recalls moments from BLIND GUARDIAN, floating gracefully over cleanly played guitar lines. Only the third track on the album, it already stands out as one of the highlights. As the song progresses, subtle pagan metal influences begin to surface. Drummer Tino Jäntti plays a key role here, adding rhythmic textures that enhance the atmosphere. Toward the end, the pace gradually increases before the track closes with deeper, guttural vocal lines, giving the otherwise delicate composition a darker finish. On 'The Wounds', the drumming once again stands out, with sharp double-kick patterns cutting through the song’s steady groove and giving the track an added sense of drive.

This approach fits perfectly with the guitar work of Tuomas Torikka, who blends thrash elements with classic melodic death metal riffing. His playing clearly reflects the influence of figures such as Alexi Laiho, whose distinctive style can be heard in Torikka’s sharp and melodic riff choices. At the same time, Torikka manages to shape these inspirations into a voice of his own. The vocals mirror the intensity of the instrumentation, delivering harsh, dark, and cutting lines that complement the aggressive musical backdrop.'The Dawn of Day' wastes little time establishing its momentum. A powerful groove drives the track forward with high energy, supported by a thicker and more noticeable bass presence. Drummer Tino Jäntti once again delivers a creative and passionate performance that adds extra drive to the arrangement. Dual vocal passages appear throughout the song-and in several places across the album-providing a welcome and effective layer of variety. The closing track 'Begins With Love' reveals a more reflective side of the band. An expressive and emotionally charged lead break adds a sense of depth before the song transitions into a tasteful acoustic passage. These moments bring a different dynamic to the album and highlight Deadvoid Inc.’s ability to move beyond straightforward melodic death metal conventions. It’s a fitting and powerful closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.

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With "Chapters", Deadvoid Inc. deliver a confident debut that blends classic melodic death metal influences with their own sense of atmosphere and songwriting ambition. Strong riffing, dynamic drumming, and memorable melodic moments give the record both power and emotional depth. While the band clearly draws inspiration from the genre’s established greats, they already show signs of carving out their own identity. As a first statement, Chapters is an impressive opening chapter that suggests even greater things may lie ahead.

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SCORE 8/10

Reviewed by SWAMPY

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