Band: Seventh Void
Title: Heaven Is Gone
Label: Napalm Records
Distribution: Rough Trade Benelux
Release date: 26/11/2010
Review: CD

This band’s moniker, Seventh Void, is taken from a part of Dante’s masterpiece Inferno. Oke, now we’re informed… You want another special addition? Well, what about this: Seventh Void are formed by two former Type O Negative-members, Kenny Hickey (v, g) and Johnny Kelly (d). Got your attention?

Anyway, this band was formed out of the ashes of Type O Negative somewhere in 2003. After a while, the duo (see higher) recruited Matt Brown (g), a friend and colleague within the Brooklyn-scene, and it was this one who, finally, introduced bass player Hank Hell little later. The latter was active within the Brooklyn-scene too, yet especially within the Punk-scene. He used to be member of the influential band Inhuman, amongst many others, FYI. When Vinnie Paul Abbott (think Damageplan, Pantera, Tres Diablos, Gasoline, Hellyeah), owner of Big Vin Records, heard about this band, he wanted to co-produce and mix their debut, along with Sterling Winfield (you might know him from his work with Mercyful Fate amongst others). Then Napalm from Austria came in the picture, and the final result: Heaven Is Gone, with a total running time of forty two minutes.

Heaven Is Gone can be labelled as Doom Metal, yet not of the evident, traditional kind. Yes, there are elements that remind me to Type O Negative, of course, but Seventh Void certainly are not just a continuation. This material is heavier, more direct, and a lot more focused on pounding riffs and grim spheres. And it gets fantastically supported by a very groovy, grungy and powerful rhythm section. Also the lack of pushed-forward keyboards is an important difference between both bands. And what about Kenny’s vocals? His range is wider and more diverse than ever before. In its uncomplicated totality, Heaven Is Gone appeals as a collection of elements from diverse bands that have certain things in common: the combination of melody and catchiness, and the contradiction between darkness and enlightenment.

Consider it a self-interpretation of a Doom/ Rock/ Stoner mix, based on, or inspired by, Type O Negative, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Pentagram, Christian Death and Danzig.

75/100

Ivan Tibos.