Inherit the Void's stylistic and structural diverseness, innovative rhythms, and strong melodies are among the clearest illustrations of how far Profane Omen have stretched themselves on this album. Perhaps the most unconventional song (and definitely among the most exciting ones), "I Have Seen" is comprised of three distinct movements, each expressing psychological torment in a unique way: the first by making creative use of horror elements, including intricate, warped guitar and vocal lines; the second through the unrestrained aggression of up-tempo, edgy riffing and harsh vocals; the third by going slow and heavy, with frontman Jules Näveri (also of Enemy of the Sun) convincingly channeling Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), his tone haunted and despairing. "Base," on the other hand, is very much in the vein of the energizing, multifaceted headbangers with which the band launched their attacks on Beaten into Submission and Disconnected (preceded in each case by a short, tone-setting, intro track), but sounds utterly fresh due to its inventive, scuttling rhythms, showcasing a tighter-than-ever bottom end and outstanding guitarwork. Also distinguishing this song are some new variations in Näveri's already incredibly diverse repertoire of rough vocals.

Although still at his best in extreme mode, where his power, variety, pleasing timbre, and maximum articulation leave him with few peers, Jules has raised the quality and expanded the diverseness of his smoother styles. Partial credit for these strides must go to Mikko Herranen, the accomplished singer/multi-instrumentalist (Rust, ex-Misery Inc., ex-Velcra, etc.) and rising star on the production/recording/mixing side (Iiwanajulma, Misery Inc., Velcra, Rust, etc.), who produced the vocals for Inherit the Void. Along with Näveri's singing, the excellent vocal lines, harmonies, and effects, as well as the great lead guitars, make the melodic parts of the album major highlights. The most extensive of these is the primarily clean-sung "Left to Disintegrate," which features a particularly irresistible chorus. Nearly as engaging is the one in "Right to Retaliate," which blends elegance with a nice touch of sleaze, and is brilliantly integrated into this otherwise quite brutal (even venturing into black metal territory) track.

Key to Profane Omen's success in mixing styles and levels of aggression is that whether they're hammering, caressing, or unsettling the listener, not only are their riffs, melodies, and rhythms fresh and their performances stellar, but all of the above are fueled by a Stooges-like genius for rocking. That vibe is most sustained in "Dodge." This fantastic closer rocks with the b***s-out abandon of Iron Maiden's "Aces High" (a comparison best entertained with Arch Enemy's Johan Liiva-era live cover in mind), parts of "Dodge" specifically evoking that song's chorus. Effective conceptually as well as musically, this relentless drive turns humanity's course down the path of self-destruction (Inherit the Void's central theme) into a gradually intensifying rush toward the edge of a precipice. The song's fittingly abrupt ending, an acoustic wisp, serves as both the wake and a mini-requiem - a move as sophisticated as the lyrics in which Profane Omen portray our imperiled world throughout the album.

From intellectual substance to adventurous compositions, from superb performances to excellent production and sound, there's a lot to love on this CD and no real weaknesses. The few instances in which it falls short of perfection are as much a matter of timing as anything: Jules having a rare callow moment in the first couple of lines of "In the Middle I Breathe," where a strong vocal presence is called for, and the consecutive sequencing of the two songs that provide the least surprises - "Generation Doom (Count Me Out)" and "Dealers of Guilt," the latter featuring the album's only unremarkable chorus. Otherwise, Inherit the Void is a work of great maturity and artistic integrity from one of Finland's most popular live acts, and one of the world's finest producers of creative metal.

written by Maud

Playing time: 50:24