If you have a taste for heavy music that blends alt metal, punk, and post hardcore, Doctor Black’s new album Tales from the Void is an absolute treat. Coming out from the city of London, Doctor Black, founded by multi instrumentalist and vocalist Rob Rees, shows off a wild mix of influences and original twists right from the start. They draw inspiration from Slipknot, Parkway Drive, and A Day To Remember. They also bring to my mind acts like Avenged Sevenfold, System of a Down, and heavy shades of Deftones. That being said, Doctor Black’s style stays unique throughout. Tales from the Void is a confident statement from a band that clearly knows who they are.
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The record kicks off with El Diablo. Downtuned guitars and a relentless chugging rhythm build a bridge to punk and metal roots. Rob Rees’ vocals bring a sense of urgency, and the wah soaked guitar solo pops up as a real high point, setting a technical bar that the rest of the album consistently matches. El Diablo draws you in with an unmistakable spark, tons of punk energy, and a locked in vibe you want to crank up. Oblivion comes up next, leading with a riff that catches your attention right away and leans into post hardcore territory with a powerful groove and punchy bass. Divine Intervention steps things up again with a nu metal style and moody verses, then lifts back up on a big, memorable chorus. Doctor Black’s guitar work really shines on the solo here.
Premonition offers a break, flowing with clean guitars and a mellow, introspective atmosphere. It is a short moment but adds just the right pacing before things get heavy again. Rotting on the Inside brings back gritty, alternative metal energy and an underground attitude that keeps things raw. In Hell opens with clean guitar lines then builds into a metal/rock ballad highlighted by melodic and crushing solos. The album’s momentum never drops. Rope and Drag Me Down keep the flow. Wychwood Forest adds another layer of interest, while The Death of Art stands out as a true alt metal banger with some growls thrown in here and a tapped guitar riff intro.
Everything winds down with Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition, a final alt rock banger. Love the guitar solo and fading outro into silence feel like the right way to close the journey. The whole album is tied together by bold artwork from Mark Leary and polished mixing courtesy of Benedikt Hain, making every riff and rhythm hit with more impact.
Tales from the Void proves Doctor Black can bring the hooks, the heaviness, and a ton of character. If you are looking for alternative metal with a fierce punk edge that also has plenty of fun and melodic moments, spin this one soon. Doctor Black is clearly enjoying themselves and their excitement is contagious. Play loud and let the riffs do the talking.
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