Formed in Edinburgh in 2013 by displaced Frenchman Victor Vicart and native Scot Dudley Tait, post-metal prog-sludge artisans Dvne have been building a powerful head of steam since their second album, 2021’s kaleidoscopically mesmerising 'Etemen Ænka'. Their first release for the legendary Metal Blade Records label, the LP was a concerted hike up the greasy pole for this enigmatic outfit, enabling Dvne to embark on UK and European headline tours and win spots at such discerning festivals as Hellfest, ArcTanGent, Desertfest, Damnation and Resurrection. A live EP of reimagined album tunes, 2022’s 'Cycles Of Asphodel', kept up their profile while satiating demand from a rapidly mushrooming fanbase, and now in 2024, stunning third album 'Voidkind' looks set to propel this expanded five-piece line-up (welcoming Maxime Keller on keyboards) to the top of their game.
Certainly 'Voidkind' succeeds in finding new modes of expression for Dvne. The songs are more pointed, direct and memorable, but the soundscape still a radiant, evolving, hypnotic flow, the effect achieved with fewer layers of sonic ornamentation, consciously urging closer to Dvne’s incendiary live sound. And despite the addition of a full-time keyboardist, Victor has no doubt about the album’s defining feature: “We wanted very distinct left and right guitars, and punchier drums and bass, which would transcribe better live. And the synths needed to be clearer; it’s very easy to put five guitars on each side, loads of different vocals and keys, but then you end up watching a band with an album you really like, and the songs sound nothing like the record. That’s what we wanted to avoid. As soon as the song starts, we want people to immediately recognise the riff.”
Asked how he feels about Dvne’s evolution at the ten-year mark, Victor sounds gratefully poised at the most exciting stage of a musician’s career: “It wasn’t until 2017 that it started feeling like a band with a mission behind it, to go on tour, grow, do better shows and do what we want to do creatively. We have fans now - real fans, it’s awesome! - but we still feel like a young band. A bit more mature maybe, but I don’t feel ten years older!”
Limited 2LP crystal clear vinyl pressing
*Please note - image is a mock up only, actual colours may vary on finished product*
Tracklisting
Side A:
1. Summa Blasphemia (5:28)
2. Eleonora (8:48)
Side B:
3. Reaching For Telos (5:23)
4. Reliquary (7:46)
Side C:
5. Path Of Dust (1:28)
6. Sarmatae (4:30)
7. Path Of Ether (1:30)
8. Abode Of The Perfect Soul (7:29)
Side D:
9. Pleroma (6:01)
10. Cobalt Sun Necropolis (9:57)
