Body Void
American sludge/doom band known for heavy sound and queer themes.
Body Void is an American sludge metal/doom metal band formed in 2014 in San Francisco, California, originally known as Devoid. The band relocated to Winooski, Vermont in 2019 and currently consists of vocalist/guitarist Willow Ryan, drummer Eddie Holgerson, and soundscapist Janys-Iren Faughn. They have released four studio albums, including the critically acclaimed Atrocity Machine (2023) on Prosthetic Records, and are noted for their exceptionally heavy sound, use of noise and industrial elements, and prominent queer and political themes.
- Formed
- 2014
- Origin
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Field
- Sludge metal, doom metal
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Exceptionally heavy sound, noise and industrial elements, queer and political themes
Lore & Background
Body Void formed in 2014 in San Francisco under the name Devoid, with Willow Ryan (vocals, guitar), their brother Parker Ryan (bass), and Eddie Holgerson (drums). In their first two years, they released a single, 'Patriarch Scum', and two demos, compiled as the 2015 EP I & II via Transylvanian Tapes. The band rebranded to Body Void ahead of their debut album Ruins (2016), which was recorded and mixed by Greg Wilkinson and released on June 16, 2016. The album was included on CVLT Nation's top-ten list of the year's best sludge releases.
In March 2018, Body Void premiered the song 'Haunted' and announced their second album I Live Inside a Burning House, released May 11, 2018 via Seeing Red, Crown & Throne, and Dry Cough Records. The following March, they released the EP You Will Know The Fear You Forced Upon Us. In late 2019, Parker Ryan left the band amicably, and the remaining duo relocated to Winooski, Vermont. They signed to Prosthetic Records in February 2021 and released Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth on April 23, 2021, which appeared on year-end lists from Kerrang!, PopMatters, Treble, and Decibel.
In August 2023, the band announced their fourth album Atrocity Machine, produced by Uniform's Ben Greenberg, and released it on October 13, 2023 via Prosthetic. The album appeared on month- and year-end lists from PopMatters, Bandcamp Daily, Treble, CVLT Nation, The Quietus, and BrooklynVegan. In 2024, the band performed at Roadburn Festival for the third time and joined Liturgy on a North American tour, though they left after one week with no official reason disclosed.
Reader's Guide
Body Void's significance lies in their evolution from a black metal-influenced sludge act into a band that incorporates noise, industrial, ambient, and power electronics elements, particularly after soundscapist Janys-Iren Faughn became a full member. Their music is noted for its exceptionally heavy sound and prominent queer and political themes, placing them alongside contemporaries such as Thou, Primitive Man, and Vile Creature as representatives of a new generation of metal. The band's critical acclaim, especially for Atrocity Machine, and their inclusion on numerous year-end lists from major metal publications, underscore their impact. Their relocation from San Francisco to Vermont and their departure from a tour with Liturgy without explanation add to their narrative as a band that operates on its own terms. Body Void's legacy is one of uncompromising heaviness and thematic boldness within the underground metal scene.
Did You Know?
- Body Void originally formed under the name Devoid in 2014 in San Francisco.
- The band rebranded to Body Void after a song on their second demo to have a more unique name.
- They relocated to Winooski, Vermont in 2019 after amicably splitting with bassist Parker Ryan.
- Atrocity Machine was produced by Uniform's Ben Greenberg and featured artwork by Primitive Man's Ethan Lee McCarthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Body Void?
Body Void is an American sludge and doom metal band that began in San Francisco in 2014 under the earlier name Devoid. The current trio consists of vocalist/guitarist Willow Ryan, drummer Eddie Holgerson, and soundscapist Janys-Iren Faughn.
Where is Body Void from?
The group originally formed in San Francisco, California, before moving their base of operations to Winooski, Vermont in 2019.
What makes Body Void's sound distinctive?
Their music is built on an extremely heavy, slow-moving foundation saturated with noise and industrial textures that give the riffs a grinding, almost mechanical quality. This combination pushes them well beyond typical doom or sludge territory.
What themes does Body Void explore lyrically?
Queer identity and political commentary are central threads running through the band's songwriting. These subjects are a defining part of their artistic voice and a major reason fans connect with their work.
What albums has Body Void released?
The band has issued four studio albums, the latest of which is Atrocity Machine (2023) on Prosthetic Records, a record that earned strong critical praise for its intensity and production.
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