Imagine, if you will, a concert. The lights dim. People wait in anticipation as the band comes on stage. The crowd goes wild as the riffs kick in. Bodies thrashing against each other back and forth, the venue floor like a war zone of people moshing. That's how it feels listening to the new Aviana record VOID. The album was released on October 31st 2025 via Arising Empire records. Aviana is a Swedish metalcore band and they are the best of the bands. From the strong opening of ITER INCIPHERE which sets the tone for the record with some guitars and synths followed by some heavy chugging riffs and intense drumming, this album has it all. The opening bleeds perfectly into the next track INTO THE VOID which starts out with some synths and some clean production with the singing. The emotion in the vocalist's voice is ever-present. The singing leads into some angry screams and a brilliant cacophony of sound which, to me, melds together to very best of both metalcore and death core.

REDROOM is another standout album. It's a little bit poppier than the other tracks on the record, but that doesn't detract from it's greatness. Once again the voice of Joel Holmqvist shines. The way he can go from beautiful clean singing to harsh, angry vocals is astounding. The band's lyrics, especially on this track, are very emotionally resonant. Delirium starts off heavy and doesn't let up. Once the beginning screams fade out we are met with a barrage of sound from the loud guitar riffs and pounding bass tones, to the blast beats that are layered perfectly in the background. Some pinch harmonics are presented in the middle section of the song, and I loved it. The crushing breakdown at the back end of this track is something to behold and honestly, you can feel the energy of this band. They are brutal and heavy, but with some pop sensibility and catchy choruses, the way I like my metalcore.

Finally, FATHER, is a great song by this band as well. Catchy lyrics, beautiful, clean production, and a heavy pummeling breakdown at the end of the song that's an assault to the senses. Joel's low pitched screaming in this part is insane. I also think this track is religious in nature; the lyrics read as him having a discussion with God. When he says, "beloved father, show me your saving grace" I viewed that as him having done something wrong, some inner demon come to light, and he is begging God to forgive him.

Overall, VOID is a fantastic metalcore album, and one of my favorite albums of the year. Catchy choruses, pummeling drums, machine-gun like blast beats, and an intense anger from the vocalist makes this album on top for me. I can't wait to see what else this band does.