Vokonis have a knack. And that is to produce (or to choose) irresistible artwork. Their 2021 piece Odyssey already won the review desk over with its striking cover. Exist Within Light – the Swede’s latest blurb is no different. Visual stimulation for metal reviews? Perhaps.
Thus, their newest EP landed in our review pipe with a selection of three tracks that should – and I paraphrase – let the band further explore the depth and breadth of their offering. All of that is in view of an upcoming album planned for next year or so.
And indeed, Vokonis added Hedvig Modig to the band for guitars and stuff, apart from adding a new drummer and bassist back in 2022. A brutally revamped lineup with Ohlsson as the sole remaining original member.
As to the style, it definitely still is Vokonis. You get a lot of raw ‘n’ dirty guitar interludes with the shouty vocals on a somewhat more melodic track. Albeit that I missed those pristine clear-voice passages – but let’s wait for the new piece until we judge. And there’s someone at the bass this time which is remarkably in your face. A grim, melancholic, and barebone metal piece that could delight us with some truly outstanding prog interludes nonetheless.
In short, Exist Within Light will deliver a rough-hewn version of the Vokonis we knew before. One that’s rusty, scratchy, and mean. And that renders it interesting.
Label: Majestic Mountain Records | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 27 October 2023