Void | Horrors Of Reality | Shadow Kingdom Records (Reissue)

 

 Void is a thrash metal band from Lafayette, Louisiana, formed in 2021. Led by vocalist Jackson Davenport, the band features Gabe Lejeune and Alexandre Bernard on guitars, Logan Davenport on bass, and Aaron Landry on drums. After a handful of digital singles, the band independently released their debut album, "Horrors Of Reality," on February 1, 2023. The release caught underground attention for its sharp precision and compositional density. In 2025, Shadow Kingdom Records reissued the album, expanding its reach with a full physical release in multiple formats.

"Horrors Of Reality" runs for 40 minutes and consists of ten tracks that draw deeply from a well-established thrash lineage. Void takes cues from both more mainstream and obscure thrash metal acts of the late ‘80s. What separates this album from imitation is its cohesion and confident delivery. The production avoids excessive gloss, sticking with a balanced, mid-fidelity approach that retains character without sacrificing clarity. The guitars weave through intricate arrangements without overcomplicating the core structure. The vocals carry a distinctly late-'80s character, presented with a dry intensity that avoids excess but maintains presence. Rhythmically, the band stays locked in, and the bass is neither buried nor overly emphasized—it simply occupies its place, contributing to the overall shape of the sound.

There is a sense of full commitment to the genre’s core mechanics throughout "Horrors Of Reality." The compositions shift frequently, with multiple tempo changes and riff transitions, yet they avoid becoming bloated. There is no attempt at genre fusion, no breaks for dramatic pauses or ambient intros, just consistent forward motion. This gives the album a steady, tunnel-vision energy that suits the band’s approach. Every track feels like part of a singular, fully realized aesthetic vision. Whether faster or more mid-paced, the tone remains consistent—serrated but organized.

Despite being a debut, the album carries a level of technical control and songwriting discipline that avoids the common pitfalls of overreach. Void sounds like a band that knows its purpose and doesn't stray from it. The performances are tight, the tone decisions are thought-through, and the pacing is effective.

Without straining for emotional peaks or narrative arcs, "Horrors Of Reality" stands as a straightforward, intelligently built thrash metal album that neither bloats its runtime nor cuts itself short. The reissue is likely to bring more attention to a band whose early maturity is notable.

Score: 8.0