British quartet Godsticks have been a major part of the modern heavy/crossover prog rock scene since they first emerged nearly 20 years ago. With their distinctive rhythmic peculiarities, biting guitarwork and unmistakably world-weary singing and songwriting, it’s not hard to hear why their initial full-length records have been so widely embraced. Unsurprisingly, their seventh LP – VOiD – fits neatly into their catalog by maintaining what’s worked so well thus far (debatably to a fault).
Billed as their “darkest, heaviest, and most uncompromising album to date,” VOiD focuses on “a disillusionment with a world increasingly defined by division, ideological rigidity, and the loss of nuance.” It also “documents a conscious withdrawal from the noise – a retreat into a personal void,” and interestingly, it marks the debut of Francis George (who replaces longtime bassist Dan Nelson). However moderate those changes and additions may be, though, the record generally offers more of the same (so your mileage may vary).
It’s no wonder why “M.I.A.” was chosen as both the opener and lead single of the sequence, as it’s one of Godsticks’ most engaging and abrasive tracks in quite some time. Fueled by djent-esque rhythms and demoralized contemplations, its examination of the nagging “voice in your head that goes under various guises such as ‘inner critic’ or ‘inner monologue’” (as frontman Darran Charles explains) is immediately likeable and relatable. It’s especially strong lyrically, and poetic sentiments such as “Why can’t I remove them / I need to repair / I don’t want the sorrow / They’re giving me to share” will certainly strike a chord with anyone who’s plagued by self-doubt.
By and large, the collection sticks to the band’s fluidly flowing in-your-face attitude until the end, yet most tracks offer something to keep things at least a bit fresh. For instance, the gruff “Hold Back” and “Torn Again” double down on hyperactively sharp guitarwork in interesting ways; “Can’t Withstand” emphasizes electronic accentuations and rich backing vocals; and “Watch It Burn” borders on the illustrative progressive metal fury of, say, Dream Theater and Symphony X.
Although there are no wholly gentle songs included in the set, a few pieces are considerably lighter and overtly multilayered.
Specifically, “Master of a Plan” approaches the moodier and more dynamic side of The Pineapple Thief and Porcupine Tree (in the 2000s, at least). The highlight of the whole album – and perhaps of the group’s entire history – is the two-part suite “Talking Through Walls.” A deeply engrossing odyssey bolstered by haunting harmonies and anxiety-inducing soundscapes, it’s a triumph of pacing as well because of how it evolves from quiet tension to tumultuous yet cathartic jam.
Compared to its predecessors, VOiD arguably unfolds with extra cohesiveness and nuances to discover with deeper listening. Nevertheless, it’s basically the same Godsticks you’ve been hearing – and presumably enjoying – since 2015’s Emergence (which kickstarted their move away from warmer psychedelic/folk tapestries and toward colder and more chaotic arrangements). Consequently, it’s nearly impossible not to feel like you’ve heard VOiD several times before.
As previously mentioned, your enjoyment of VOiD will depend almost entirely on how fresh or overly familiar you find Godsticks’ current formula. If the prior few records appealed to you, there’s no reason to think that this one won’t as well (and maybe even a bit more); if you’re not as keen on them, this one probably won’t bring you back to the camp, and regardless of how enjoyable it is in its own right, VOiD proves that Godsticks really need to shake things up when the return in two or three years.
Release Date: March 27th, 2026
Record Label: Kscope
Genre: Heavy / Crossover Progressive Rock
Musicians:
- Darran Charles / Vocals, keys
- Tom Price / Drums
- Gavin Bushell / Guitar
- Francis George / Bass
Void Tracklist:
1. M.I.A.
2. Hold Back
3. Watch It Burn
4. Master of a Plan
5. Torn Again
6. Can’t Withstand
7. Ruthless Coward
8. Talking Through Walls Pt. 1
9. Talking Through Walls Pt. 2
10. Hope Is Burning
Order the album here.
VOiD is as good as its immediate predecessors, with all the gruff instrumentation, hypnotic singing and contemplative songwriting you’d expect. At the same time, though, Godsticks’ modern aesthetic is becoming too familiar and monotonous. While VOiD works well on its own, it doesn’t differentiate itself enough from what preceded it, and whatever comes next will need to be more diverse and daring to sustain listeners’ interest and push Godsticks forward
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