Endspace has come to us.
In 2026, the mysterious Canadian band consisting of 040118180514 and 102119200914 – both of whom are also members of Fractal Generator – signed with Transcending Obscurity Records to announce their debut album, First Contact.
Comprising nine tracks simply titled First through Ninth Transmission, the duo delivers a brand of Sci-Fi Black Metal that is aggressive at its core but draws on distorted vocals and keyboards as strange as they are inspired by the cosmic touches of their predecessors to create a sound that is unsettling, distant, and, above all, deeply oppressive. Blast beats and dark riffs are obviously present, as are the characteristic Black Metal growls, but it only takes a few seconds of listening to realize that the project goes far beyond a few ethereal keyboard layers to create a disturbing and unusual sound. While some might find this contrary to the genre’s roots, I find their approach quite fascinating, and it’s a pleasure to let oneself be enveloped by the various harmonies of the two musicians, never knowing what’s coming next, even within the same track, as seen in the second song’s final, closely followed by the very Industrial, even almost Gothic, touches of the third. However, we find in all of them heavy elements that serve as a common thread, weaving together their spatial darkness, a darkness that flows as unnaturally as it fits perfectly into the album’s nine tracks, sometimes seeming to come from two places with completely different styles, such as the palpable difference between the fourth, fifth, and sixth tracks, which, in my opinion, is one of the most striking. While the seventh track is fairly mechanical, the eighth is by far the most accessible (relatively speaking, of course), whereas the ninth seems to be the least so, blending many of the influences from the previous tracks into a chaotic mix – though one that becomes relatively coherent upon a second listen.
If you’re looking for an unusual project with a diverse identity, Endspace is undoubtedly the new band for you. First Contact blends different Black Metal branches with experimental touches that will delight you while striking fear into the hearts of newcomers.
80/100