REVIEW: Philosophobia - The Constant Void

Introducing The Constant Void, the latest offering from one of progressive metal’s most exciting rising acts: Philosophobia. Following the success of their self-titled debut, which was received with an outpouring of support, the band returns with a deeper, more emotionally charged collection of songs that mark a clear evolution in both sound and storytelling. Comprised of members spread across Europe and featuring heavy creative input from current and former members of Kamelot, this album takes everything they achieved with their debut and elevates it.

The Constant Void is a masterclass in modern progressive metal - ambitious, heartfelt, and at times devastating. If you’re a fan of Dragonforce's guitar solos, Epica's cinematic storytelling, or if Philosophobia’s first album already blew you away, then The Constant Void needs to be your next listen. Domenik Papaemmanouil’s vocals are a standout—emotive, powerful, and gripping throughout. Andreas Ballnus delivers jaw-dropping guitar work, complemented by Tobias Weißgerber’s soul-stirring keys. Sebastian Heuckmann steps in on bass, replacing Kristoffer Gildenlöw, and doesn’t look out of place for a second. Rounding out the lineup is Alex Landenburg on drums, bringing precision and punch to the band’s dynamic sound.

The album opens with 'Intro', a synth-driven piece that hints at the melodic complexity to come. 'King of Fools' follows, delivering the headbanging energy every metal fan craves, full to the brim with thunderous drums and blistering riffs reminiscent of classic American rockin' metal, yet distinctly Philosophobia. 'The Forgotten Part 1' carries that energy forward but detours into a beautiful slowed-down guitar solo before launching back into a hard rock fury, whilst 'Inside His Room' mixes synth layers with a heavy influence from bands like Killswitch Engage, albeit with enough originality to be far from a carbon copy.

'Will You Remember' is where the emotional depth truly begins to show. A gentle intro of guitar and keys gradually builds, until the drums crash in and the vocals soar through a shredding chorus that’s destined to become a crowd favourite. Then, there’s 'F 40.8' - an absolute shred-fest with incredible keyboard solos performed by Vikram Shankar. 

'Underneath Grassroots' slows things down. A poignant, heartfelt track that feels like a serenade to someone lost. It offers a very vulnerable side to the band; one that no doubt will resonate with fans. 'The Fall', the penultimate track, continues the seamless blend of hard-hitting riffs and atmospheric synths. There’s even a touch of ‘80s metal flair in the guitar work toward the end. Finally, we arrive at 'The Forgotten Part 2' - a 20-minute epic that showcases the full scope of Philosophobia’s talents. With narrative passages, haunting synths, thunderous instrumentation, and a spoken word section by Rob Leland, this track is a journey through every corner of progressive metal. It feels like the entire album was building toward this moment, and it delivers on every level.

Even the album artwork is worth a mention - visually stunning, and perfectly matched to the sonic world Philosophobia has crafted. With The Constant Void, Philosophobia hasn’t just matched their debut - they’ve surpassed it. This is a band poised to take the progressive metal scene by storm.

Score: 8/10

The Constant Void was released on July 11th 2025.

Words: David Waites

Photos: Philosophobia