I’ve had the pleasure of diving deep into Shadowblade, the latest EP from VOITH, and it’s an experience that sticks with you. There’s no denying the raw energy that drives this record. It blends post-punk grit with the dreamy, yet haunting atmosphere of synthwave. There’s something so honest about the way it all comes together, almost like it’s pulling you into a world of shadows and electronic pulses, where every beat feels heavier than the last. The record unfolds like a story, each song connecting while bringing its own unique take on genre blending, all falling under the darkwave umbrella.
One of the things I liked most about Shadowblade is how it manages to carry a consistent theme throughout. The five tracks don’t just feel like standalone pieces; they’re all part of a bigger narrative that’s carefully put together, or so it seems to me. Every song explores a slightly different approach to songwriting, allowing VOITH to stretch the boundaries of what’s expected within the darkwave and post-punk realms.
"In this context, shadowblade is a force, a force of evil and goodness that one tries to find a balance. It's not about evil and goodness in terms like God and the Devil, it's more about the contexts of, for example, love, loss, death, the search for a meaning in everything, the fundamental aspect of being human, depression, alienation, interstellar space, paranormal activities. These are some topics that we all grapple with daily, but in different ways. My way is nothing unique when it comes to creating in music and lyrics. But I try to do it 100% from the heart. My lyrics are very short. Often, I can't find more words or sentences in what I want to convey, it gives a different weight and meaning to each word. Sometimes the songs are completely instrumental or have small voice samples. This 5 song EP is a continuation of my previous 5 song EP "A Dreamers Kiss". It was intended as a full-length album, but I split it up instead so that the songs would get more and better attention. If you play both one after the other, you can feel that they are connected" - Voith
There’s a darkness that runs through Shadowblade, and it’s not just in the lyrics, but in the sound itself. The synths are addicting, yes, but it’s the wet guitar tones and brooding vocals that really set the tone for the most part. There’s an edge to it that feels like it’s constantly on the brink of something bigger. The electronic elements are on full display throught the whole thing.
If you’re into genuine darkwave or post-punk, Shadowblade is one of those records you’ll find yourself coming back to. It’s available on Spotify and everywhere else, so there’s no excuse not to give it a listen.
