Review by JD on June 26, 2013.

Thrash!  Even the name of it is synonymous with metal – conjuring up the image of a writhing pit full of sweaty metal maniacs churning and flying into one another set to the blitzkrieg lightning riffing soundtrack that has come to be Thrash.  How can you tell I am into it?  If you can’t…I AM!!

Out of Long Island, this motley group of thrashers have been around for years, bringing NY styled thrash to the masses.  Might riffs and pounding drumbeats drive things… the vocals spit out its fury with the bass simply breaking your balls with its low-end fury.  Old school still teaches all of us something, but it also has its downsides as well.

This EP has some good chunk to it, and brings me nostalgically to the heyday of Thrash- but Coldsteel seems rather generic despite the longevity of the band.  Don’t get me wrong, this is a strong album but it holds now advancement of their music… it is a strong album equal to during the glut of thrash before the scene imploded because of just that. I did enjoy the EP, but never was truly impressed by what they offered me.

I love old school metal, especially Thrash – but I look for growth in my Thrash.  The new style of thrash is growing and changing into a new beast, and still keeps the old school feel that makes it what it is – but this album seems to be stagnate on their progression.  Average Thrash is better than none, that is true – but I want to be engaged by it, not just underwhelmed.  I am truly underwhelmed by ColdSteel’s album.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 5
Originality: 5
Production: 5
Overall: 55

Rating: 5.2 out of 10

Review by Emma on May 21, 2009.

We all have those days: the food has no taste, your muscles have become sandbags, and you feel no need to wear that raincoat out despite the freezing downpour. These are the times and emotions that call for something extra, when this level of misery needs an equally miserable companion. This is where the Funeral Doom outfit Evoken comes in.

Wellbutrin-poppers beware; their sound is here to crush your soul’s vessel. "A Caress Of The Void" is a solid album that successfully feeds on the depression and bleak outlooks of its listeners. Not all the tracks sound the same, the writing is well done, even the psychedelic is dabbled within ‘Mare Erythraeum.’ Melodic is not a word I would use to describe Evoken’s latest, nor would I use the word unique. For all the great qualities it has, this album has been done before, at an even slower pace, with even longer track times. But that’s fine if you’re ready to switch out the Esoteric without switching out the mood. There is just that little something missing to really make "A Caress Of The Void" stand out.

Despite that, I suggest ‘A Caress Of The Void’ for it really is an enjoyable (of sorts) listen. This is for fans of Thergothon, Mournful Congregation, Skepticism, Catacombs.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship- 5.0
Atmosphere- 8.5
Originality- 4.0
Production- 6.0
Overall- 8

Ratong: 5 out of 10