Void of Hope - Proof of Existence (2025)

Featuring members from Moonlight Sorcery and Ondfødt, today we have newcomers Void of Hope and their harrowing debut release “Proof of Existence”. Recorded during the several harsh and cold days of winter, this release transmits misery and rawness in a visceral way, similar to outfits like Lifelover, Austere, and Thy Light. With over 42 minutes of music, this release is the perfect soundtrack to a bleak existence.

Opening with dramatic atmospherics, “Gift of Life” sets a very chilling and desolate soundscape thanks to its buzzing guitars and masterful tempo changes. There are still plenty of traditional Black Metal elements as the opener and “Proof of Existence” showcase punishing harsh vocals and crafty riffing. The slower tempo of “The Hollow Hymn” perfectly introduces melancholic passages of bleakness as it transitions from blistering onslaughts to more dramatic arrangements.

The second half of this release unleashes the fury of “T.E.T.L.” and “Decaying Years”. The first song is more of a straightforward harsh onslaught with some lush atmospherics thrown into the mix. While the latter is our favorite song thanks to its doomy and bleak nature with fierce melodic riffs and a very hypnotic and grim hopelessness. The band excels in creating very dramatic soundscapes filled with contrasts and a true sense of despair.

Overall, “Proof of Existence” is one hell of a crushing release filled with elegant arrangements and masterful tempo changes. Void of Hope definitely lives up to their name, as they will certainly make a splash in the scene with their knack for bleakness. If you are a fan of the genre, do not miss out on this superbly engaging release with tons of extra details to discover with each spin.

Label: Avantgarde Music

Release: January 31st, 2025

Genre: Depressive Black Metal

Country: Finland