CARNEIA is a Belgian Post-Metal band with members from KING HISS and MIAVA and are inspired by bands such as TOOL, FAITH NO MORE, and NIN. May 3, 2019 saw the release of "Voices of the Void," CARNEIA's fourth studio effort. The album creates an eclectic wall of sound that combines thoughtful riffs, a variety of rhythmic styles, instrumental improvisation and dynamical vocal lines. All of these elements combined, create a state of mind going from dark and heavy to melancholic and brooding. The 8-song album offers an intense and introspective showcase. In this album an aging 'lone wolf' is stubbornly looking for some kind of meaning while struggling with trauma's and heredity. Sometimes clashing with his inner demons and sometimes dealing with an uncomfortable emptiness. Suffering from a distorted self-image, he tries to find his place in this world.

"Black Coffee" is the first song that sticks out to me. The song holds a TOOL sounding composition musically. The guitars and drums just seem to be magical here. The vocals have this unique sound that I cannot seem to figure it out. "The Hangman" follows and the song itself has the same TOOL feeling with the tribal drum style and the guitars still have a deep, dark tuning. Jan Coudron's vocals show a darker side around the midpoint of the song. Demonic is the only way I can really describe it.  "Shadow Man" is more of a NIN style. The guitars create a different atmosphere as the drums provide a different tune to dance to. The six minute track isn't brutal but it is still dark.

After listening to over half of this album, I still haven't determined who Jan Coudron's vocals remind me of. "Alter Ego" throws another wrench into the gears as the vocals have yet transcended into a different realm. They are harsh and dark and fit the music almost too perfectly. The music itself is a step away from where the album began, but remain the same. The drums pound a different tempo as the guitars throw more of a Stoner-Rock sound. "Epilogue" is the final song of the album and I really only mention it because it is a true throwback of the crazy noise songs TOOL always seems to leave at the end of their albums. It is a very cool ending to very good album.

CARNEIA are a very unique band that show their influences heavily through "Voices Of The Void".  Their talent as a band shows greatly in each and every song. Jan Coudron has his very unique sound to his vocals as well. His layered vocals remind me of tones of Layne Staley, while his lyrics fall into lines of Maynard James Keenan and Trent Reznor. The album is truly a unique display and if listeners are eager for that new TOOL release, this album will certainly keep you entertained until August.