heavy-metal-darkness: Asaru |V.O.I.D. |Schwarzdorn Production

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Asaru |V.O.I.D. |Schwarzdorn Production

Release Date: January 23^rd, 2026
Format: Digital/CD/Vinyl
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway

Asaru was formed in 1995 by Frank Nordmann and belong to the early wave of European black metal acts that took the Norwegian template seriously while shaping a personal path. Over nearly three decades, the project survived constant lineup changes, pauses, and long silences, always guided by Nordmann’s vision. Their work has remained tied to classic black metal values, austere, cold, and disciplined, with a long gap since the previous full length making their return especially notable.

“V.O.I.D.” arrives more than ten years after “From The Chasm Of Oblivion” and presents a clearly framed concept built around elements and their human counterparts. The album unfolds with a strict thematic focus, where fire, earth, air, and water are mirrored by ideas of mankind, religion, war, and downfall. This structure gives the material a strong narrative flow without the need for excess explanation, allowing the atmosphere and lyrical direction to speak for themselves.

Musically, the album stays loyal to the Norwegian black metal tradition, echoing the cold severity associated with names like Emperor, Gorgoroth, and early Immortal. The sound is sharp, icy, and firmly rooted in genre orthodoxy, with a strong emphasis on tension and forward motion. The production, handled at Strand Studio in Norway, supports this approach with a raw but controlled sound that avoids unnecessary polish and keeps the overall character austere and focused.

Lyrically and conceptually, “V.O.I.D.” presents a bleak worldview centered on elemental forces and human self destruction. Themes of religion and war are treated as extensions of natural cycles rather than abstract ideas, giving the album a grim philosophical edge. The material feels carefully assembled, serious in intent, and consistent in tone, offering a complete listening experience grounded in classic black metal ethos.

“V.O.I.D.” stands as a solid and mature return for Asaru, reinforcing their long standing identity without dilution. It is an album that respects tradition, delivers a coherent concept, and maintains a clear artistic direction across its entire runtime. For listeners devoted to orthodox black metal with thematic depth and restraint, this release fits comfortably into that lineage.

Score: 7.5