Void Monuments officially announces its rebirth.
After a brief existence between 2020 and 2022, the Russian project led by Kreator (guitar, Khashm, Melkor’s Spell, ex-Septory, ex-Ulvdalir…) took a break, then recruited Ivan (bass, Kolossus, Voice of Drenai), Bestial Barlog (drums, Kolossus), P. Doom (guitar, ex-Morgenstern), and Oleg Malleus (vocals, Pyre), with whom it released a demo in 2024. In 2026, Posthumous Imprecation, their first album, comes out by Blood Harvest.
From the album’s introduction, the band displays a certain anguished coldness borrowed from horror cinema, notably thanks to the characteristic keyboards that prepare us for the onslaught delivered by Epitome Of Fear, the first track with brutal and unapologetic Old School roots into which the roars are integrated. Everything in these relentless riffs calls for violence, and even the few moments of hesitation sound like a call to frantically bang your head during the reprise, taking advantage of the virulent Death Metal roots to accentuate the aggression, just like on Devilish Prophecies, which revives the chaos at a slower pace. The desolation of the opening moments gives way to the thick fury of the rhythm section, which now rages at full speed under Oleg‘s growls, and if the band slows down, it’s only to let the anxiety resurface before charging again towards Decapitate The Saints, which allows us a moment of respite before hitting us with its catchy riffs. There are some fairly heavy patterns on this track, but also an even rawer passage that leads into a new wave of power, followed by a solo before joining Ascent to the Crucifixion and its imposing, almost majestic tones, which descend upon us, drawing on unhealthy Black Metal influences. The acceleration is immediate, and the riffs surge forth under a thick double kick that dictates the pace, allowing the tortured leads to blend in for a brief moment before resuming their relentless pounding, which only ends when Invocation follows suit after barely catching its breath. This new composition starts off with a bang, relentlessly striking between blasts, screams, and effective instrumentals at a good pace, allowing for a few softer moments during the solo, but the waves of ferocity rush again towards The Sign of Blasphemy, which hastens to strike in turn. Once again, we feel the unhealthy and occult touches that the band incorporates into its bloody harmonics, especially during the slower moments, as well as in the introduction to Father of Sin, which follows with an agonizing intro, but quickly gives way to its true form and abuses us one last time before ending the album without warning.
Void Monuments knows how to hit hard and create an atmosphere of dread, whether through horrific keyboards or heavy leads. Posthumous Imprecation easily ranks among the dark-rooted Old School Death albums that will delight fans.
85/100
