The Answer Lies In The Black Void / Mould / The Fifth Alliance

 

The Answer Lies in the Black Void is the collaboration between vocalist Martina Horváth and composer/multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen. Horváth, known for her ethereal voice in avant-garde metal formation Thy Catafalque, joins Köhnen, whose creative legacy includes Celestial Season, Bong-Ra and The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble. Together, they also delve into mystical electronica with their project Mansur.

 

With their shared passion for doom, Horváth and Köhnen founded The Answer Lies In The Black Void to explore the emotional and existential depths of the genre. Their self-proclaimed Transcendental Metal combines the crushing gravity of doom with elements of folk, ambient and electronica, casting a wide, atmospheric net that captures both sonic weight and spiritual introspection. Lyrically, the band dives deep into the complexities of the human psyche. Themes of inner struggle, psychological transformation and the hidden architecture of the soul permeate their songs and give their music an incantatory emotional resonance that transcends the typical boundaries of metal. The result is a sound that is both soul-crushing and soul-searching.

 

Following their critically acclaimed debut Forlorn (2021), The Answer Lies In The Black Void returned with the equally compelling Thou Shalt (2023), both released via Burning World Records. Each album continues the duo's journey through the dark corridors of sound and self. Live, the band expands into an impressive five-piece, featuring Botond Fogl and Attila Kovacs on guitar and Mark Potkovacz on drums. Now the band is preparing to unveil their third full-length album Transcendental (2025) - scheduled for release in September 2025 on Lay Bare Recordings.

 

MOULD is a droning low-tuned five-piece from the Netherlands, fusing sonic doom (Windhand) and epic sludge (YOB, Neurosis, Thou). The mix of their guitar-heavy sound with atypical/clean vocals from both female and male vocals makes for a unique sound. Call it delicious sludge, which is heavy and massive but at the same time sparkling and open.

 

Although previously formed by guitarists Mark de Smit and Jeska Buhmann, MOULD evolved into a full-fledged live playing band in 2021. After a series of gigs, the focus in 2023 was on finishing their debut album Pull & Repulsion . Each composition draws you into a new landscape of oppressive beauty. MOULD cannot wait to share their energy and music with fans of slow heaviness.

 

The Fifth Alliance is a doom/(post)(black)metal band from Breda. The band was formed
late 2006. Originally starting out as a chaotic hardcore band, they slowly shaped and developed their sound into a hybrid of heartbreaking doom, sombre post metal and hypnotic black metal elements.

 

Following their debut with their well-received album "Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin" (2013) and almost four years after the release of their acclaimed second album "Death Poems", The Fifth Alliance returned in 2019 with their album "The Depth Of The Darkness". Powerful and dark, "The Depth Of The Darkness" is aggressive and biting, yet full of atmosphere and deep emotions. Recently reinforced with new band members Natalya Thelen (ex-Yantras) on vocals and Peter Scheffer (also with Soliton) on drums, The Fifth Alliance has just finished recording a new album, to be released in early 2026. Expect a crushing new album that combines darkness and emotion like never before, with Natalya's conjuring vocals cutting through layers of doom, post- and black metal with raw intensity and fragile beauty.