‘As I sit with my dog, I can hear your crunchy riffs ringing in my ears, That Traynor amp will always echo across Ketch Harbour my friend, And your smile will always shine through the grey’ (Ketch Harbour)

Mutated Void first came into view in 2022 when releasing both their debut LP, Roses Are Forever, and the follow-up EP, Slash The Altar, almost on top of one another.   The Halifax, Nova Scotia band have now expanded to a foursome, but very little else has changed.  This for the avoidance of a doubt is a very good thing.

This is blown out, very lo-fi crust hardcore punk forced through the harrowing lens of the rawest black metal.  Tarnished sees the band unleash ten further filthy blasts and the song structures writhe and morph with an unexpected virtuosity despite their relative brevity.  Meanwhile, the vicious blackened vocals explore themes of mental isolation, social exclusion, and police violence.

That said, there are also signs evolution lurking amid the shadows.  During the two more expansive tracks at nearly two minutes, Abandoned and Ketch Harbour, they lock into an impressively intense groove.  The former even opens with a melodically squalling solo as heartfelt tribute is paid to fellow Halifax musician, Ben Brennan, following his recent death.