Four-piece Halifax band Kilmore released their first full-length album Call of the Void today. After spending two years in the making, the album has become everything you love about classic rock but with a modern twist.
Following their EP City Lights released 3 years ago to the day, Call of the Void holds the band’s established heavy-rock sound while occasionally dipping into slower, bluesier waters.
“We have been working on this album for over 2 years, we did a lot of pre-production on it before heading into the studio. We wanted to have the album flow from being to end and express some darker feeling of life,” says guitarist and vocalist Heather Harris.
“Call of the Void” is having reckless behaviour, engaging in self-sabotage which, I think, a lot of people partake in. Feeling the need to escape is a big reality in this day and age and this followed through a lot in the lyrics.”
The band’s sound seems to be influenced by many famous and influential bands in classic and progressive rock, and in some places it even borders on doom metal.
For the more upbeat songs of the album, there are clear alternative and even progressive rock influences on the guitar riffs. “The Wire” brings to mind the style of Coheed & Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez, and songs like “Shift” and “Void” present a sort of modern and heavier Led Zeppelin riff style. In addition, the vocals occasionally cross over into what could almost be 80s-rock territory.
The strong focus on guitar riffs is telling of not only the band’s Led Zeppelin influence but also their Black Sabbath influence. For this album, the band’s guitar inclination sounds more towards the former than the latter. Tracks “Dark Matter,” “Under My Skin” and the album’s final track, “Red Sky” carry the doomier sounds of Black Sabbath while also taking on a more modern feel like that of bands like Pallbearer. On top of that, the vocals on those tracks are also more echoey and drawn out in a style similar to that of Acid King’s Lori S.
Slowing down the last 2 minutes and 50 seconds of the album with heavy beats and groovy riffs is a really great note to end on. The slower and groovier yet still heavy sound is a direction that suits the band’s talents and is one they should consider taking more often.
Ultimately, the fast pace of the majority of the album and the heavy and bluesy sounds really drive home those themes of reckless behaviour and dark feelings without having to rely solely on the vocals. The band effectively portray their intended emotions and messages to the listener through their music while providing them with something to bang their head—or groove—to.
If you like what you hear, stay tuned because a video for the track “Dark Matter” is currently in the works. Also, catch them at one of their upcoming shows:
Tour Dates:
06.07.18 Plan B Lounge, Moncton, NB
06.08.18 Barfly, Montreal, QC
06.09.18 The Historic Red Dog, Peterborough, ON
06.12.18 The Atria, Oshawa, ON
06.13.18 The Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa, ON
06.14.18 The Hideout, Toronto, ON
06.16.18 Old Moe’s Music Shop, Hants, NS
06.23.18 Gus’ Pub, Halifax, NS (official release party)
07.14.18 Governor’s Pub, Sydney, NS