The British prog-death metallers from Voices are back with some fresh material. It’s not much, but it’s something to hang on to until their next album. Formed alongside Akercocke, by some of their members, Voices deliver an interesting take on the genre and are definitely one of the better representatives of the niche. They’re also one of those criminally underrated bands, which I had the fortune of discovering through the almost random recommendation of a good friend.
Three years since their last record, Frightened, the band has released a small EP, titled An Audience of Mannequins. The three tracks that comprise it have a stronger symbolic impact than a musical one if you ask me. They reassure us that the band is alive and well and likely planning to bring more music to us.
Strictly in terms of music, the brisk release continues in the footsteps of their last album, without really adding anything essential or novel on top. It’s absolutely fine though, I honestly wouldn’t be yet at the point where I mind more of the same from these guys. I think we still need to see some red flags in that direction, as well as more time passed to reach some kind of state of alarm.
The first track, “An Audience of Mannequins” definitely showcases the clear-cut death metal we’re acquainted with, as well as how it leans into the epic and melodic parts that are part of the band’s hallmark sound. The sound of it is quite fresh and the production is very nicely articulated. It really had me banging my head around here.
The other two, “Hostile Confrontations” and “A Comfortable Distance” show us that the characteristic tender side is more than just present. Its striking velvety delivery takes me entirely out of the abrasive and aggressive mood set by the opener. That happens as well when I revisit the other releases, but with more tunes to continue the thread, it’s easier to keep track of what happened and what comes up next.
I’m very glad that there’s even this little fresh material from the band to hold on to, until further notice at least, as we definitely don’t have enough of this type of forward-thinking extreme music; which is so apt at adding many other nuances into its flow, concept, and delivery. I may be biased by my penchant for their music, but Voices are definitely something to put on your musical radar if any of the above strikes a chord with you.
