THE NECROMANCERS are back with the release of their third full-length studio album "Where The Void Rose" on October 16, 2022 and introduced new lead vocalist Basile Chevalier-Coudrain (formerly of BIRDSTONE). Formed in 2015 from France, they established themselves with the debut release in 2017 "Servants of the Salem Girl" putting them on the European heavy metal map. The band self describes as progressive, heavy psych, pagan, proto metal with lyrics inspired by mythology, religion, fantastical tales from European literature and an obsession with classic horror films all doused in lysergic* illusions. The album tells the story of a decaying world where some try and hold the horde back in the depths, while others yearn to plunge into the abyss, exhilarated by the discovery of new knowledge and eager for answers in the face of the inevitable. Whew, that's quite the resume. I'm intrigued, fascinated and a little scared to pop in the CD. Just in case, I have my therapist on speed dial.
*don't worry, there won't be a quiz, but it means "casing hallucinations"

Opening with a bouncy riff on "Sunken Huntress" leads into grooving vocals aided by a speedy, gritty guitar solo, a true IRON MAIDEN feel on this, but not the dark, edgy undertone I  was expecting. Track two "Crimson Horn" drastically changes over to a heavy, sinister sound with soulful vocals, that at times flirt with growls from Chevalier-Coudrain (show casing his versatility) peppered with twists and turns on tempo and tune. Some nice balanced, satisfying  guitar work also, but given the fact the song is 8:11 in length, lost me mid-way thru, just too many peaks and valleys. "The Needle" is a mixed bag of distorted tones and a nice bit of mellow tempo while still maintaining a fairly heavy rock feel, if you close your eyes, you'd think Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST was singing. A total change of direction than the previous three songs on the album with "Orchard", opening with a spaced-out odyssey adding a deep, rumbling bass line paired with clean, crisp guitar hooks. A slower paced, robotic feel. On to the title track "Where the Void Rose" gives us somber vocal layering over a simple drum beat that eventually switches to a fuzzy guitar riff and a sped-up tempo with clean, crisp vocals rotating with throaty growls. Whatever they are trying to accomplish with this musical potpourri song gets lost on me, too much production and not enough rocking.

This may be one of those albums that need to grow on you, It had enough to keep me involved musically, the vocals are impressive and euphonic, the guitar work is strong at times and a solid drum and bass backings compliment well. Lyrically they are SUPERB, every song paints a dark, ominous landscape. Unfortunately, I personally found my mind wondering as I listened to the album, I'm suggesting (or is it complaining) that the songs are just too lengthy, seemed like they wanted a "rock opera" feel, but I just wasn't "feeling" it. I think the band is still trying to find their way. Having said all that, I still would recommend this to all early JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN fans.