Emptiness, the Belgian extreme metal band, has once again pushed the boundaries of their genre with their latest album, Nowhere Speaks. This album is a testament to their unwavering commitment to exploring the depths of negation and existential dysphoria through dense dissonance. The band's trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, evolving from uncompromising blackened death to ambient and experimental territories, and now, they've crafted an album that defies easy categorization.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Nowhere Speaks is its self-referential nature. The album begins with a continuation of the riff from Nothing But The Whole's closer, "Lowland," and concludes with a similar abruptness, mirroring the circularity of the previous album. This deliberate construction suggests a deeper connection between the two records, over a decade apart. Furthermore, the recording process itself is a metaphor for the album's sound, as it was recorded live all at once in the studio, just like the band's predecessor, Vide, which was recorded by each member in isolation and geographically distant.
The album's atmosphere is both dissonant and groovy, with dark melodies and restlessly stalking tempos. It seamlessly blends disso-death moodiness, noisy atmo-black, and warped, static-scattered ambience. The tremolos, often warm and almost welcoming, suddenly turn menacing, creating an eerie tone. This stylistic incongruence is a key element of Emptiness' unique sound, which they've been crafting for years. The album's highest points are the culmination of these inconsistencies, resulting in a new genre that Emptiness has been perfecting.
However, the album's intricate textures sometimes veer towards a mélange that's too understated. While the band has nailed the vibe, with pseudo-dissonant guitar, smothering dark ambience, and unusual compositional shapes, some interludes and midpoints threaten to fade into the background. Despite this, the album's layers are distinguishable, with reverb adding a softness rather than an obstruction. The drums, vocals, and guitars each have their space to create a haunting atmosphere.
Emptiness' patience is evident in their response to the open question posed by Nothing But The Whole's abrupt ending. Nowhere Speaks is a testament to their belief in the virtue of patience, spreading out like a great gulf of nothing. It may have taken many listens, but the album's immersive void of beautiful nothingness has captivated the reviewer, making it hard to remember any doubts they once had.
In conclusion, Nowhere Speaks is a very good album, with a DR rating of 9. It showcases Emptiness' evolution and their ability to create a unique and captivating soundscape. The album is available worldwide on July 17th, 2026, via Season of Mist, and fans can explore it further on Bandcamp and Facebook.
