“When In Rome” is the debut album from UK-based rockers Void Pleasantries and it has a lot of tasty riffs, pummeling drums, and groovy bass licks. With vocals that are highly reminiscent of the early to mid-2000s, any Alt. Rock fans would love this album so much…but what is it that really makes this record stand out?

The first track, Tedious Lie, begins with an overdriven bass line that’s beautifully interwoven with the lead guitar. Just when you thought the progression would get repetitive, the outro changes things up and adds some pedals/effects that allow a beautiful variety to show itself. The s3cond track, No Good Reason, is much shorter (just under two minutes) but it has a more bouncy drum line and doesn’t overstay its welcome after presenting the great riffs it has. The third track, I Will Name It, reminds me a lot of the old era of bands like Godsmack and Alter Bridge. A truly fun alternative track with some of the album’s more complex drumming patterns…I can’t wait to hear this big sound at a big festival/arena show. The following track, Be The Hunted, is an emotional power ballad with somber verses and a bouncy chorus. The rollercoaster of emotions in its lyrics presents itself with an equally dynamic arrangement that changes from clean guitars to heavily distorted ones. 

“What Did You Say?” has a super memorable riff in its intro before it changes to a completely different progression, kinda reminding me of MCR’s songs. I loved the vocals on this one so much, as the singer showed his ability to capture emotion in time, making his performance much more special and unforgettable. Retract had my favorite bass lines on the whole record and it has a totally different vibe from the rest of the songs. Emerald sounds like it’s taken out of a 2000s movie soundtrack due to its jumpy guitars and gloomy vocals, a lot of pop-punk, and emo vibes. Lose My Mind is a bit more on the aggressive side…this one will appeal to fans of Seether. The Meddler was recorded live and it has a lot more classic rock n roll/old-school rock vibes and the live setting lets you get the full intensity and feel of the band and the chemistry of the sound they create together. 

What You Want has some technical playing and some more sophisticated drumming that will get you banging your head and starting your own concert alone in your room. It’s one of my favorites here. The last, and longest, track “From Afar” has an extended intro that builds up to some ethereal vocals. At this point, I thought we had listened to everything the band has to offer and I couldn’t imagine that the vocalist could sing such long and resonant vocal lines as he does here. The song has a beautiful and emotional surprise with every element and every instrument exploding with energy toward the end of the track. I won’t spoil the surprise for you but I’ll just tell you that I was sweating, crying, and screaming with my jaw dropped with that outro that I’m sure will get everyone touched. It’s unbelievably honest and touching and it puts you in an inescapable state of sadness and longing because your feelings will match those of the protagonist in its lyrics…a true masterpiece and my absolute favorite track here. 

All in all, this album is a powerful start from a band that seems to have years and years of musical knowledge and experience behind them. The spirit of brothers and friends making music together like this will never get destroyed or replaced by AI as some people fear, especially when you hear the vocalist’s screams and high notes on the final track you will know how human vulnerability is the only thing that can give listeners that pure emotional gut punch…and get them to like it and replay it because of how much those feelings resonate with them. A 100/10 debut record that’s for sure. 

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