Golden Void – Berkana – Album Review by Killian Laher

American rockers Golden Void return with their second album Berkana. The album sets the tone from the opening bars of Burbank’s Dream, a sort of Black Sabbath-inspired speed-prog. Silent Season is like Midlake on heavier, bad acid… so you see where we are here? Very much stuck in the seventies, pre-punk that is. It so happens that these guys do this sort of thing quite well. In fact, Dervishing and Astral Plane are almost radio-friendly, with catchy driving riffs and an Ozzy influenced vocal courtesy of Isaiah Mitchell.

The album actually improves as it progresses, I’ve Been Down has a dirty, no-nonsense riff at its core that’s almost worthy of Queens of the Stone Age. Although most of the tracks are quite “jam”-my (particularly The Beacon), the rhythm section remains tight, so at no point do they lose their structure or outstay their welcome. Modern day punks won’t like it much but for those who like their rock a little on the pondering (or ponderous side), this is worth a listen.

Tracklist –

1. Burbank’s Dream
2. Silent Season
3. Dervishing
4. Astral Plane
5. I’ve Been Down
6. The Beacon
7. Storm and Feather