Luminous Vault consists of guitarist/vocalist Mario Diaz de Leon (Oneirogen, Bloodmist) and bassist/vocalist Samuel Smith (Artificial Brain, Aeviterne), and, as is a current common theme recorded, this pre-pandemic, with the fascinating results only now seeing a release.
Animate the Emptiness (Profound Lore) is Luminous Vault’s aptly named debut album and follow up to 2017’s Charismata EP. The most striking thing initially about the album is the incredible cover artwork by fivetimesno, which is stunning and does an excellent job of conveying the atmosphere of the album; a jangling mix of ominous black metal mixed with electronic psychedelic tones.
The album starts off with the pulsating thrum of ‘Invoke Radiant Gleam’ immediately drawing comparisons to the likes of Godflesh in the relentless industrial stomp and odd time signatures, but also Blut Aus Nord in the ominous atmosphere produced. Guitar lines soar hauntingly with jangly tremolo picking interspersed with chugging industrial riff. A solid start indeed.
The album continues in this vein albeit slower into ‘Incarnate Flame Arise’ which has a ethereal beauty and transcendent quality with menacing and gloomy undertones, all driven along by the reverberating synthetic bass drum thud of the drum machine.
‘Divine Transduction’ slows things down with a more somber tone, the trilling guitars less prominent with the vocals coming more to the front. Slower, and more contemplative longer riffs and cycles on display with an icy tone. The Godflesh comparisons are coming thick and fast throughout the album, which is honestly never going to be a bad thing, but they have a more organic sound despite the electronic aspects being so prominent.
‘Regeneration’ starts with a more notably up tempo eighties goth feel from the outset, and a slightly more optimistic, even sparkling tonality; syncopated electronic drum rolls morph into blast beats which are borderline danceable; and I don’t mean the sort of ‘dancing’ in a mosh pit. The middle section feels like MEW to the point it feels like it could break into transcendent clean dreamy vocals at any point, before returning to the doomier atmosphere. All in all a rather expert balance of tonalities between the styles they’re trying to amalgamate.
‘Earth Daemon’ is possibly my favourite track. A phased sci-fi style for a few bars perks the interest before leading into a much heavier intro and oof! The pounding drum machine beats evoking yet more Godflesh, but the rhythmic phrasing of the riffs and vocal tones now reminding me of pestilence. chugging heaviness gives way to an uplifting but crushing industrial heavy doom vibes.
A very cinematic feel, like the soundtrack between an epic battle of good versus evil, featuring robots and ninjas. A definite highpoint for the album. I love the riffs and construction, this isn’t something which could even passingly be referred to as repetitive, there are a lot of motifs and unique passages crammed into it.
‘Embryonic’ sounds like a juddering rendition of the stranger things theme music. A short musical interlude which seems to fulfil no real purpose other than a breather and to provide some contrast between ‘Earth Daemon’ and Final track ‘Ancient North’ and doesn’t outstay its welcome.
Indeed, you can feel that contrast as ‘Ancient North’ starts off with a bang, providing that uplifting spiritual feel that only doom can really provide: A melancholic doom harmony, which is awesome, really. It brings the whole thing together into a satisfying conclusion before ending abruptly.
The whole album has a rather cinematic quality overall there’s a real element of musical exploration, this is a great album for relaxing to and letting your mind wander where it may.
The overall effect is somewhat like exploring a psychedelic dark cave as might be what is on the cover art. At times, there’s beauty and wonder, other times you find yourself getting concerned about how deep you may have found yourself coupled with the momentary heart stop adrenaline rush of a torch flicker in the dark. It’s a dark adventure, another album which is there to act as a catalyst for the imagination.
Buy the album here: https://luminousvault.bandcamp.com/album/animate-the-emptiness
8 / 10
RICH PRICE