REVIEWS OF TIME IS EMPTY (DEMO 2002)

TERRORIZER nr. 102 - 2002
Rated: 7,5 / 10
Formerly known as V:O:I:D, this is the second offering from the south Norwegian two-piece V:28, and it shows promise. What the band may lack in unimaginative drum-programming and pompous philosophical twaddle, they make up for in sheer cosmical riffs and eerie synth futuristics, making this five-tracker a pleasant foray into vast black holes of space metal. Labels take notice. v28@change.to 

(ES)

SCREAM MAGAZINE nr. 67 - 2002
V:O:I:D was their name the last time we reviewed their demo. Now they’re calling themselves V:28, and for those of you who fancy som unuseful thinking, you might find the link between the two names. The new demo is yet an interesting meeting with the boys from Arendal. They have changed their style a bit, although there still is a ambient feeling in the sound. The songs are better structured, and the vocals are better. The rotating and spherical guitarriffs make a cold and distant sound, and it all sounds extremely well. The cold (and you were freezing and listening to this one, I suppose – LK) pianoparts gives the music personal characteristics. It’s not easy to find a genre to fit V:28. They’re not upto something completely new, but they have absolutely succeded in making powerful music with style and strength, no doubt about that. I still have faith in this band.

(AJB)

MONSTER MAGAZINE nr. 3 - 2002
This is the second demo from the Arendal-based band, formerly known as V:O:I:D, and it sounds quite interesting. V:28 presents 4 tracks with riffs both from the death- and black metal genre, the vocals are death metal and else the music has a industrial touch. The riffs are V:28’s big strength, and there’s a lot of very good riff s here. There are also a lot of good use of synth and samples, but I think the drum machine sounds a bit static. The duo’s industrial metal is absolutely approved, and it sounds like a mix of Red Harvest, old My Dying Bride and a black metal guitarist. Worth checking out, so contact: V:28, c/o Kristoffer Oustad, Rømmekollen 18, 4844 Arendal, e-mail: v28@change.to, web: http://change.to/v28

(Martin Kvam)

FROM BEYOND ZINE nr. 7
A huge step forward from their debut, which was issued under the name V:O:I:D, Time is Empty shows a band’s who’s future definitely should be brighter than the theme of their lyrics. The style that was set on the first demo has been perfected to the point where V:28 has found their own sound: Somewhere between Death and Black Metal with an atmospheric Industrial touch and with a nod towards early MANES material, Time is Empty doesn’t sound particularly brutal but cold and mechanic, portraying a futuristic and apocalyptic setting. The use of synths and programmed drums doesn’t even ruin the sound, but fits in perfectly and enhances and actually fulfils the bleak atmosphere.  

BEAT THE BLIZZARD WEBZINE
The last demo CD from V:O:I:D was promising showing a band with both talent and a lot of potential. After changing name to V:28 they've changed their heavy musical expression a bit and taken a huge step into the right direction. The band's modern, cold and distant sounding metal with obvious industrial influences and harsh death metallish vocals and thick rolling, thunderous guitar riff patterns is definitely worthy of praise. Even the drum machine sounds almost organics is well programmed and implemented in the songs without sounding "plastic" and like a TV show from Hollywood. I love the music and sound on this CD, especially the sound of the guitar. This is nothing less than an outstanding demo. The word "innovative" in the title of this demo is used and not without a reason, I can assure you that. V:28 is about to bring something fresh and new on the table. Let's hope that a label realizes how good V:28 are. They deserve a record deal, no doubt about that!

ETERNAL TERROR WEBZINE

For those who read the interview with Kristoffer from V:28, might have noticed that I like the music very much. Innovative at times, very professional done, and hard to fit in a genre – exciting! The drums are programmed, and that must be the only negative to say about this 5-track demo. And it has to added that the band has found a drummer, Børre Iversen, so now it is just to look forward to the next opus. Musically V:28 is a kind of atmospheric, spaced death metal band with a lot of exciting guitarleads, at times not unlike My Dying Bride. I have found my favourites in “Dead Shining Star” and “Perspective”. For those who are interested in knowing more about V:28; read the interview!

(Hans Olav, 03.11.02)

BALDERSBÅLET WEBZINE
Heavy Death/Black Metal from Norway. When there are released so much crap from Norway, one has to ask oneself why a band like V:28 can be without a contract. Should believe that V:28 is one of Norway’s best unsigned bands at this time. Buy this demo, and give V:28 your support.