The Answer Lies In The Black Void is the alchemical collaboration between vocalist Martina Horváth and composer/multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen. Horváth—known for her ethereal voice in avant-garde metal outfit Thy Catafalque—joins Köhnen, whose creative legacy includes Celestial Season, Bong-Ra, and The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble. Together, they also delve into mystical electronica with their project Mansur.

Rooted in their shared passion for doom in all its forms, Horváth and Köhnen formed The Answer Lies In The Black Void to explore the genre’s emotional and existential depths. Their self-styled Transcendental Metal blends doom’s crushing gravity with elements of folk, ambient and electronica—casting a wide, atmospheric net that captures both sonic weight and spiritual introspection.

Lyrically, the band dives deep into the complexities of the human psyche. Themes of inner struggle, psychological transformation, and the hidden architecture of the soul permeate their songs, giving their music a haunting emotional resonance that moves beyond the typical boundaries of metal. The result is a sound that is both soul-crushing and soul-searching.

Following their critically praised debut Forlorn (2021), The Answer Lies In The Black Void returned with the equally compelling Thou Shalt (2023), both released via Burning World Records. Each album continues the duo’s journey through the shadowed corridors of sound and self.

Live, the band expands into a commanding five-piece, featuring Botond Fogl and Attila Kovacs on guitars, and Mark Potkovacz on drums. 

Now, the band prepares to unveil their third full-length album Transcendental (2025) —set for release in September 2025 on Lay Bare Recordings —promising yet another chapter of introspective heaviness and sonic exploration.