Hope Drone - Void Lustre

Hope Drone has been one of my favorite bands to come out of the Australian underground in a good long while. Void Lustre, their latest offering, is a real scorcher come fresh from Sludgelord Records in collaboration with Moment of Collapse. This is a record that perfectly encapsulates the state of modern post black metal, building on the legacy of acts like Downfall of Gaia or Der Weg Einer Freheit but unleashing it in a distinctly Australian way, bringing in their own vibrant elements all across the album.

I think what I dig about this record is the sheer bombast that it brings. Hope Drone is a band who understand the inherent magic of this genre. Void Lustre routinely shines well above many of the bands peers. Though it may have been four long years since 2015's thrilling debut, Cloak Of Ash it feels like this is in some ways a more authentic look at what the band has been seeking to create. A masterful release through and through, Void Lustre not only speaks to the transcendent power of the genre but also Hope Dron'es skill as songwriters. On this record they pull of multiple ten minute plus tracks with aplomb.

Void Lustre is a stunner. It's a record that transcends and continually points to new heights for a band who seem destined to conquer. Historically Australia hasn't exactly been known for their forward thinking metal. However here we see a group who have the capability to act as a world apart, a group who are destined to inspire with songs that pull at the heart and which seem to push the band ever higher. Well worth the wait, Void Lustre is an exciting offering from Hope Drone and a hint at much more to come.

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