Review by Jack on February 15, 2003.

Australian black metal? Something of an oddity to most fragile metal minds, but down under we are blessed with one of the finest metal acts in Astriaal. Astriaal plays a black metal brand that harkens back to the older days of black metal circa 1995-1997 where bands like Borknagar and Old Man’s Child were carving a name for themselves with shredding black monstrosities spliced with acoustic interludes, rasping vocals and hypnotizing dark hymns.

At the end of 2002 Astriaal released upon the world "Deception Revelation", a 7 track EP featuring a blistering new track from their forthcoming album ("Renascent Misanthropy"), two live tracks, a re-recorded track from their early demo ("Glories of the Nightsky"), and finally an exclusive three track closer called 'Revelations' to end the EP experience.

These five guys are at the peak of what they are doing at the moment. If you couldn't get enough of the top black metal that was coming out before all black metal bands went cyber and futuristic, (I am talking the medieval black metal back in the glory days) then Astriaal are your new favorite band. However there is something cutting edge and revolutionary in Astriaal's concoctions of black mastery that enable them to still flourish in this day and age, making it a worthy EP that black metal fans, and possible metal fans should hunt down.

Bottom Line: "Deception Revelation" is a fine EP and a worthy introduction to the world of Astriaal which should hopefully hook folks onto their forthcoming album in "Renascent Misanthropy" that should be a corker if the track 'Ode to Antiquity' is anything to go by.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.6 of 10

Review by Michael on April 29, 2002.

Light Is The Language are an interesting band. They are what Agoraphobic Nosebleed would be if they actually made any attempt to play their instruments. More Hardcore than Metal, "The Void Falls Silent" covers some very experimental and at times avant guard-like directions in its delivery. The consistant theme running through this album is the ever popular “anti-modern society” subject, but as all punks like to do, Light is the Language have taken it to the next level of self loathing with a general hatred toward all human beings. It is always a refreshing change from blood and gore…

The music itself has some excellent moments, but they never last long enough. Even though the intent is there and all movements in the album were planned, this recording as a whole is too disjointed. Too many directions and styles trying to be incorporated into a limited number of songs. At times it can be very difficult to listen to, as keeping up with what the song is trying to achieve is task in itself. Simplicty would have been the answer here…but I am aware that in genre’s like this, that’s not a priority. Its how many riffs and disjointed guitar lines you have in a song that make it!

The musicianship on "The Void Falls Silent" is better than many other bands pushing the same boundaries. It is obvious that the band members are capable musicians who are playing some very difficult parts. Production wise, this album is well above many similar bands I’ve heard. The drums are very well recorded especially… well the high hats are too loud but that’s a personal thing! The guitars sound ok, but more clarity would have gone a long way to giving the band a helping hand in the delievery of the music.

Bottom Line: If you are into bands like Dillenger Escape Plan and Agoraphobic Nosebleed to some extent then "The Void Falls Silent" will be well within your tastes.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 7
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.7 out of 10

Review by Michael on April 29, 2002.

Light Is The Language are an interesting band. They are what Agoraphobic Nosebleed would be if they actually made any attempt to play their instruments. More Hardcore than Metal, "The Void Falls Silent" covers some very experimental and at times avant guard-like directions in its delivery. The consistant theme running through this album is the ever popular “anti-modern society” subject, but as all punks like to do, Light is the Language have taken it to the next level of self loathing with a general hatred toward all human beings. It is always a refreshing change from blood and gore…

The music itself has some excellent moments, but they never last long enough. Even though the intent is there and all movements in the album were planned, this recording as a whole is too disjointed. Too many directions and styles trying to be incorporated into a limited number of songs. At times it can be very difficult to listen to, as keeping up with what the song is trying to achieve is task in itself. Simplicty would have been the answer here…but I am aware that in genre’s like this, that’s not a priority. Its how many riffs and disjointed guitar lines you have in a song that make it!

The musicianship on "The Void Falls Silent" is better than many other bands pushing the same boundaries. It is obvious that the band members are capable musicians who are playing some very difficult parts. Production wise, this album is well above many similar bands I’ve heard. The drums are very well recorded especially… well the high hats are too loud but that’s a personal thing! The guitars sound ok, but more clarity would have gone a long way to giving the band a helping hand in the delievery of the music.

Bottom Line: If you are into bands like Dillenger Escape Plan and Agoraphobic Nosebleed to some extent then "The Void Falls Silent" will be well within your tastes.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 7
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.7 out of 10