Power-duo The Supervoid Choral Ensemble make a surprise return with a gritty, raw, and straight to the point masterclass in psych-prog-gaze. Riffs galore for your pure enjoyment!
Release date: January 13, 2026 | Vitriol Records | Bandcamp | Instagram
Let me tell you one thing: When I heard Ben Sharp might fully discontinue the Cloudkicker project in 2020 after the release of the brilliant album Solitude, it was a sad day. However, deep down I knew he had a lot more creativity left in him and it wouldn’t be long until we got some kind of output.
It took three years until we got something. A first EP, with this new project. Their name was The Supervoid Chroral Ensemble. A self-titled demo EP with three brilliant instrumental tracks which set the framework for a new direction for Ben Sharp. He had brought in a drummer and not any drummer. Vinny Rosebloom had already made quite a name for himself in bands like Gospel and brought in the dirtier, punkier and aggressive edge. This EP was a sample for what was to come in 2024.
Live From The Downwhen Terminus was a standout for me that year with its raw, visceral energy. It was all about Sharp’s genius demonstrated in Cloudkicker paired with Rosebloom’s powerhouse drumming. The result was a short, focused, and undeniably brilliant record that captured the best of both musical worlds.
Fast forward to the present day. We’re now in 2026 and we get a surprise EP! The concept is simple: it is named EP1 and it is short and straight to the point. The songwriting is unsurprisingly brilliant and more refined. Let’s get into it.
“Binocularize” sets the tone immediately with an insane amount of groove. Even at just under 6 minutes, the song explores a wide dynamic range, moving from a beautiful melodic/ambient section to a surprising high-octane punk-hardcore end. It’s a fast-paced, breathless experience that the duo somehow manages to tie back together perfectly by the final note.
“Ernie Ball Worship” to me leans into more familiar territory for long-time Cloudkicker fans, evoking the spirit of albums like Beacons or Fade. Its foundation is bouncy riffs and spaced-out moments and elevated by Rosebloom’s drum flairs and fills. Like the previous track, the real magic happens midway, as the track becomes this layered psychedelic odyssey with keys and synths. A clear standout and one of the most adventurous moments on the record.
“Foglier” is the interlude. A necessary atmospheric palate cleanser. Chill, spacey, and deeply reminiscent of the more meditative and clean moments found on Cloudkicker‘s Let Yourself Be Huge. The calm before the storm before the final assault.
“Pushing Rope” follows the moment of calm to close the record seamlessly. Again, very recognizable Sharp/Rosebloom, utilizing complex polyrhythms and immense riffs that sound absolutely massive alongside the aggressive drumming. Ending with a high, leaving me wanting more. Check and check.
I am sitting here smiling now. I feel like that with every new listen, there are new details discovered. To me, there is no better feeling when listening to something, even for the tenth or eleventh time and even years later (not the case here yet!). There is always something extremely satisfying about being gifted with music created by Ben Sharp and especially when pushed by a drummer as capable as Vinny Rosebloom. EP1 doesn’t overstay its welcome. It really hits hard, it experiments with psych-prog-gaze elements, and is a raw, gritty, and well written piece of music. Please check this out if you haven’t.
