For the 12" version + T-shirts and bundles go here: romannumeralrecords.bandcamp.com/merch

For digital version, Side Body Void purchase directly from artist here: bodyvoid.bandcamp.com/album/body-void-keeper-split

For digital version, Side Keeper go here: keeperxdoom.bandcamp.com/album/body-void-keeper-split

I always enjoy a good split. There’s so much you can do with them, whether it’s two completely different bands, a consistent theme or some esoteric experiment. My expectations take a back seat with these kinds of releases and the ride I’ve received on this Body Void/Keeper split is something else. The surprise is the best you can hope for with a split. If you loved the earlier work of either of these bands then the vinyl and tape releases are a no brainer, you don’t even need a preview. It’s raw and sincere sonic mayhem.

When I was first introduced to Body Void last year I didn’t quite know how to take it, I was brand spanking new to writing for a website and certainly new to this style of uncompromising crushing sludge. Since the release of You Will Know The Fear You Forced Upon Us I have had the resplendent displeasure of experiencing the concepts and genre ideals on offer, from the abrasive hate filled blackened vocals and lyrics to the equally abrasive hate filled sludge drone instrumentation. I can appreciate it considering the hate is in all the right places and calling out all the right bullshit, it has its place in alternative music and Body Void are as alternative as it gets with their penchant for feedback, noise and antimusic, counter-culture ideologies.

And yet they always manage to tell a compelling story within the song writing and structure. It’s a hell of an experience to open a spit with, the Side A track “Androgyne” increases with intensity and tempo as it endures through the 14-Minute run time in such a way that’s never a chore. There’s always something to behold and it may be my favorite track of theirs to date. I don’t have the lyrics on hand for this one but I can just fucking imagine the chaos and venom they contain.

Side B is my introduction to the band Keeper and it’s easy to understand why they are on this split, they’re a great match with their blackened sludge approach that embodies something with less restrain and more dysfunction. There’s a sense of destruction that builds around specific moments of tension where the drums will come rolling in, making the vocalist feel like they’ve doubled in size as they rise to match it. I’d like the read the lyrics for these two tracks too because what I could make out was interesting and more specific to mundane life than I tend to hear in exaggerated metal themes. I’m glad to find them because it definitely resonates with my most nihilistic instincts.

I would normally have a video or stream here but this is pretty under wraps even with the release date just around the corner on the 15th. Just trust me, it’s good. It’s mastered for vinyl by James Plotkin (Voivod, Merzbow, John Carpenter, Ennio Morricone, etc.) so you know that release is in bloody good hands. Carpenter is one of my all time favorite composers. That can be ordered through Roman Numeral Records soon (Photo at top of review). There’s going to be a tape release via Tridroid Records too. I’m quite envious of both this cassette and Body Voids previous, alas I live in Australia. I will certain endeavour to obtain them anyway.
- Noob Heavy (noobheavy.com/2020/01/04/bodyvoidkeepersplit/)