Golden Void are a hard rock/psychedelic metal band from California's Bay Area, and they've recently unleashed their self-titled debut through Thrill Jockey Records. Yes, the Bay Area and no, not a thrash band, which is quite refreshing actually, and while it might be easy for a lot of people to quickly dump Golden Void into the stoner camp, there's more going on here that should appeal to a lot more than just the burnt out, Sabbath worshipping crowd.
The band was formed in 2009 and consists of Isaiah Mitchell (guitar, vocals), Aaron Morgan (bass), Justin Pinkerton (drums, Hammond organ, Moog), and Camilla Saufley-Mitchell (Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes). While there are certain references to some of the doom legends like Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, and Pentagram, Golden Void also seem to have taken influence in acts like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Captain Beyond, Hawkwind (there's a good bet the band is named after the classic Hawkwind song), Cactus, and other heavy bands of the '70s. Heavy riffs, effects laden vocals, and waves of psychedelia permeate the crushing "Virtue", while wah-wah guitars, floating keyboards, and dreamy vocals on "Jetsun Dolma" take the listener back to 1970. There's an almost Grand Funk Railroad meets Leaf Hound feel to the rumbling "Badlands", complete with some haunting vocals and busy drum work from Pinkerton. Thick Hammond organ riffs meet up with thunderous power chords on the mix of doom, psychedelia & boogie that is "Shady Grove", while "The Curve" is an upbeat retro rocker that will have any fan of Blue Cheer, Grand Funk, Budgie, and Cactus up on their feet playing air guitar and thrusting their fists in the air. Mitchell tears off some scorching wah-wah laced lead guitar work on this one that again, takes you back to that wonderful era. One of the more 'prog-rock' styled numbers on the CD is closer "Atlantis", featuring great vocal harmony layers, plenty of vintage keyboard sounds, complex rhythms, and a killer, instantly memorable guitar riff. It's easily the highlight of the album.
Golden Void's debut has appeared on the scene with little fanfare, but I can't imagine them being a secret for much longer before one of the major metal/hard rock labels scoops them up. Seeing as so many of these labels are focusing on bands doing the retro '70s hard rock & metal thing these days, Golden Void should be an obvious choice for a new signing in the not too distant future. Highly recommended!
Track Listing
1) Art of Invading
2) Virtue
3) Jetsun Dolma
4) Badlands
5) Shady Grove
6) The Curve
7) Atlantis
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