Seeming Emptiness is the brainchild of German solo artist Kevin Mockel, and in his own words the idea was to interpret thoughts and feelings directly into music.
The completely instrumental album is just over 51 minutes long, and contains 6 tracks, each of which convey their own stories and emotions, although the overall theme is melancholic and thoughtful.
Blending metal, post rock and even prog rock, this should appeal to fans of Mogwai, Dream Theatre (without vocals) and even early Anathema.
The relatively short 3 minute opener Nothing kicks off the album, building from chiming guitars and into a reflective gentle opening piece.
This leads into the 6 minute Apparently Forlorn, and the tempo is lifted with overlaid guitars with metal riffing over a synth backdrop. Exhilarating stuff - who needs lyrics ?
Things take a proggier turn for next track Conversion, all 12 and a half minutes of it. Many twists and turns, changing directions and tempos and taking a listener onto a sonic journey into the unknown.
Wavebreaker is a more straightforward rock track, with swelling guitars and pounding drums, but the level of musicianship and production makes it all the more impressive that it’s the work of 1 man.
Whether it’s considered as ambient, prog rock, post rock, doom rock it really doesn’t matter, and after a couple of tracks, you won’t even notice the absence of lyrics. If you have the patience to let this album into your life, you certainly won’t regret it.
Keith @kjsmith4082
9/11
Seeming Emptiness – Conversion is out now via Fluttery Records