Into the Void

Notoriously loud, underground Christchurch band Into the Void has been laying down Black Sabbath-inspired riffage for more than 20 years. Margaret Gordon’s lively and eccentric documentary introduces us to the band’s original members: guitarist Jason Greig, sound artist Paul Sutherland, drummer Mark Whyte and vocalist Ronnie van Hout. A bunch of drinking buddies, they formed a band in the late 80s more to alleviate their own boredom than anything else. As graduates from Ilam Arts School they’re all perhaps better known for their work in the fine arts, with van Hout’s satirical conceptual art and Jason Greig’s macabre monoprints being especially well exhibited. Over time the original foursome have been joined by bassist and Galaxy Records owner Dave Imlay and guitarist James Greig (Jason’s cousin), with the band’s numbers shrinking or swelling depending on who’s available at any one time. Since Into the Void primarily exists as a live act, having only released two albums in their two plus decades of existence, this documentary provides welcome record of an important slice of Christchurch’s rich musical history.