{"product_id":"temple-of-void-the-crawl","title":"TEMPLE OF VOID - The Crawl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCD (Jewel Case). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCritically acclaimed Death Metal force \u003cstrong\u003eTEMPLE OF VOID\u003c\/strong\u003e return with their new album, \u003cem\u003eThe Crawl\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe caveman brawn of previous albums, namely \u003cem\u003eSummoning the Slayer\u003c\/em\u003e (2022), remains, but there’s a wider dynamic on the group’s fifth full-length album at play. Now a quartet—featuring guitarist \u003cstrong\u003eAlex Awn\u003c\/strong\u003e, drummer \u003cstrong\u003eJason Pearce\u003c\/strong\u003e, vocalist\/guitarist \u003cstrong\u003eMike Erdody\u003c\/strong\u003e, and bassist \u003cstrong\u003eJustin Malek\u003c\/strong\u003e—the Michiganders aren’t shying away from their non-metal influences, seeking greater integration of grunge and post-punk with their brutish signature. Singles “\u003cem\u003eThe Crawl\u003c\/em\u003e” and “\u003cem\u003eSoulburn\u003c\/em\u003e” demonstrate the proficiency of TEMPLE OF VOID's death-cloaked, spearheaded attack. From the high intensity of opener “Poison Icon” to the granite wall of “\u003cem\u003eThe Twin Stranger\u003c\/em\u003e,” \u003cem\u003eThe Crawl\u003c\/em\u003e isn’t just TEMPLE OF VOID evolved, it’s a harbinger of death metal to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The biggest shift for me on this record was not feeling like we had to fly the ‘death-doom banner’ as part of our identity,” says \u003cstrong\u003eAlex Awn\u003c\/strong\u003e. “Death-doom, as a genre, gave us something to anchor our sound around when we started. It was always a reference and touchstone. At the same time, we always wanted to make sure we had our own spin on it. We’ve always been adding to the conversation, adding to the genre, giving our point of view. A huge part of what makes a Temple of Void record is the non-death-doom influences that make up our DNA. And on album five we never once asked ourselves, ‘Do we have enough death metal? Do we have enough doom metal?’ We simply wrote a heavy-ass record—let the chips fall where they may.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor lyrics, \u003cstrong\u003eErdody\u003c\/strong\u003e built on the psychology and fear themes of \u003cem\u003eSummoning the Slayer\u003c\/em\u003e. The overarching theme of \u003cem\u003eThe Crawl\u003c\/em\u003e is, put rather simply, an “allegory about life, choices, and consequences.” It’s a qualitative view on the horrors of the human condition and the contemplation of our monstrous capabilities. “\u003cem\u003eThe Twin Stranger\u003c\/em\u003e,” for example, is about being stalked by a person’s doppelganger; “\u003cem\u003eGodless Cynic\u003c\/em\u003e” draws on a short story by sci-fi author Harlan Ellison; and “\u003cem\u003ePoison Icon\u003c\/em\u003e” tackles the crushing effects of mankind’s intrinsic nature to deceive and control.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Crawl was tracked in a single “\u003cem\u003ecolder-than-hell\u003c\/em\u003e” week in January, etched into proverbial obsidian at \u003cstrong\u003eKurt Ballou\u003c\/strong\u003e’s \u003cstrong\u003eGodCity Studio\u003c\/strong\u003e (Gatecreeper, High On Fire) in Salem, \u003cstrong\u003eMA. Ballou\u003c\/strong\u003e was assisted by engineer \u003cstrong\u003eZach Weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e (Deafheaven, Fuming Mouth). Both studio mavens were enlisted by TEMPLE OF VOID because they wanted a “human”-sounding, spontaneous record. This is evident from the heavy-as-fuck, raw-edged guitar and bass tones, as well as Pearce’s in-the-room drum sound. Ace \u003cstrong\u003eBrad Boatright\u003c\/strong\u003e, who’s handled everyone from Sleep to Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon (aka Stranger Things), was brought on to master at his Audiosiege Mastering Studio in Portland, OR.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTEMPLE OF VOID are evolving, rolling their 20-sided die yet again. This time, it’s raw, in-your-face, dissonant, heavy, and absolutely human. Featuring the captivating “referential” cover art by \u003cstrong\u003eTravis Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e (Opeth, Death), \u003cem\u003eThe Crawl\u003c\/em\u003e burrows into bone, flays minds, and leaves metalheads wanting more. Venture into the deepest, darkest dungeons, fellow Templars!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relapse Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":57281938194777,"sku":"SDZ-34504","price":14.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/Temple_Of_Void_-_The_Crawl_-_CD_-_2026.jpg?v=1770900719","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/temple-of-void-the-crawl","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}