There are artists who speak to heart and mind more directly and intimately than others, who in some strange way create something that you could never have come up with yourself, yet feels so stunningly familiar and close that it seems to spring from a place right within your soul. URFAUST, over the years, have become such a band for me through their absolutely genuine musical, visual and conceptual approach to the art of Black Metal. I've spent a few weeks with"Empty Space Meditation", the latest full length offering by these two gifted gentlemen, by now and again, I can't thank the lords of intoxication enough for what is arguably their most complete and thought-through release to date. As URFAUST's stylistic range has become incredibly broad over time, you never know what to expect of a new release. But you know there are special moments to come when you unwrap a new offering by the Dutch Dynamic Duo. And yes: As soon as the needle hits the swirly vinyl record of "Empty Space Meditation", the URFAUST magic starts to happen again: The lines of reality become blurred, time dissolves into a non-linear state of existence and until the music stops, there is nothing but yourself, freed from the chains of causality and reason. "Empty Space Meditation" is exactly that: A meditation rather than a record, a journey to your inner self rather than a collection of "songs". If for some inexplainable reason you are not a devotee yet, this album is probably the best entry point into URFAUST's world. As usual, Ván Records have done an incredible job in presenting this piece of art, the lavish LP version is so unbelievably opulent beyond it borders on insanity. So if dancing on the edge of madness is what makes you feel most sane, you're probably already spinning "Empty Space Meditation".

00 Void