Forming the Void - Reverie Review ⚡️ - More Fuzz Stoner Rock Blog

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The album of maturity and mastery.

With their fourth album entitled Reverie, Louisiana quartet Forming the Void definitely stands out as one of the top band in the stoner-sludge and psychedelic scene. Rich and monolithic, violent and hypnotic : Reverie is complexe, Reverie is great.

How is the sound ?

Yuri Gagarin, Lowrider, Elder, Elephant Tree, and even more : the first quarter of the year just ended and 2020 can already be considered as a “Grand Cru”. The orgy of great albums continues on this May 8th with Forming the Void last released, Reverie, out on Ripple Music. The fourth one in five years by the American quartet. The fourth one, and maybe the best so far. Reverie sounds like the album of maturity for Lafayette boys. Following the direct path of their three previous – and already solid – productions, Reverie still delivers its bunch of epic and monolithic grooves and its satanic dance between violent riffs and psychedelic atmospheres. All of this, served with a more progressive and melodic approach. No doubt : Forming the Void reached a new top of its apocalyptic art.

“Sage” opens the album in the pure Forming the Void style. Fans of last opus Rift will not be lost, recognizing these crushing riffs and harsh drumming that directly pounds the ground. It shows what Reverie is: the logical following of their precedent productions. We can feel this will to affirm their own sound signature. A singular one that they master at 100%. And what a pleasure to find again Shadi Omar Al-Khansa’s solos. The way he plays is unique and it may be one of the most underrated guitarist of the heavy scene. Second tack “Onward Through The Haze” begins with an acoustic pattern. It is constructed on the alternance of meditative phases and violent sludgy passages. Both faces – and the way they fit together – really make the strength of Forming the Void music.

With third track “Trace The Omen”, we can clearly see the progressive approach present all along the album. An increasing tension is built up with soaring melodies and a swift drumming. The solo, based on middle east patterns, is perfectly composed and adds a mystical side to the whole sound. As well as Marshall’s voice, which stands out even more, venturing into more melodic phrases. Fourth track “Manifest” begins with a delightful oriental and acoustic guitar, similar to an oud. It depicts an exotic decor, a sort of psychedelic mirage that comes right in front of the listener’s eyes. The vibe is captivating and does not vanish when comes a heavier section with a hypnotic groove. The tempo is rather slow and let the band display all its mastery. The track feels like a small journey in itself.

The tempo increases with fifth track “Electric Hive”. This is the most direct one and it initiates the album’s final section. The mood changes and a more metal-rooted face appears. It introduces the super catchy “Ancient Satellite”. It may be the most addictive track of the album. This track constitutes a monolithic and crushing overload. It is punctuated by shiny and almost “Pink Floydish” passages, with a cleaner guitar that still manage to be quite epic. Final track “The Ending Cometh” may be a bit less catchy but remains a good condensate of the musical mastery they display all along the disk. The ending solo concludes the trip in the best possible way.

After Reverie, Forming the Void cannot be considered as the rising band any longer. The American quartet is definitely installed at the top of the stoner-sludge and psychedelic scene. This advent will not surprise first hour fans. Reverie is the last stone of a very coherent musical construction begun with Skyward in 2015. They found their sound – a very singular and efficient one – and perfectly master it. Now, they can head to new musical horizons, confident about their own strength.

Why is this album worth listening to?

Because it might be 2020’s best stoner-sludge album.
Because with its middle east melodies, crushing riffs and its powerful voice, Reverie is as complex as efficient.
Because it is time to consider Forming the Void as masters of their genre.