Review: Nita Strauss- The Call of The Void
June 15, 2023
Five years removed from her solo debut, Controlled Chaos, Nita Strauss is back again with her sophomore effort- The Call of The Void and it shows Strauss taking a completely different approach this time around.
While Controlled Chaos was an instrumental onslaught that didn’t let up, The Call of The Void is one that keeps the essence of its predecessor but shows Strauss bringing in guest vocalists for a lot of the tracks.
Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Chris Motionless (Motionless in White), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), David Draiman (Disturbed), Dorothy, Anders Frieden (In Flames), Alice Cooper, Lilith Czar and Marty Friedman (Megadeth) all find their way onto the record and each feature on tracks form-fitted for them.
With the singers feeling right at home on each track mixed with Strauss still throwing in her jaw-dropping solos, every one of these songs are a perfect fit for both sides and makes you forget they’re guests- it’s just natural. Between anthems like \”Victorious (Feat. Dorothy)\” and \”Through the Noise (Feat. Lzzy Hale),\” unforgettable stadium-level rock tracks like \”Dead Inside (Feat. David Draiman)\” and addictive ones like \”Winner Take All (Feat. Alice Cooper),\” this side of the record is a home run.
Strauss doesn’t rely solely on guests, though. There’s still plenty of solo instrumental tracks- “Summer Storm,” “Consume the Fire,” “Scorched,” “Momentum” and “Kintsugi” all show Strauss shredding and showcasing her chops in ways that might surprise those who only know her as Alice Cooper’s guitar player. It should too, because Strauss is much, much more than that and she makes a statement with these tracks, all of which have their own identities and lives. The balancing with this side of the record makes it a grand slam.
From the very opening note of “Summer Storm” throughout the record, you’ll find yourself saying “holy shit!” as the tracks unfold and develop. This is a record that’s nonstop foot on the gas, down to the floor from the start and just doesn’t let up until the closing notes.
Strauss has reinvented herself, not making the same record twice. The Call of The Void is balanced so well between songs that feature guest vocalists and instrumental tracks, it flows perfectly. This record is Nita Strauss’ artistry at it’s finest and is a flawless album in every way.
Rating: 10/10
-Reggie Edwards