By: Martyn Coppack
Abyssal | bandcamp |
Released on June 23, 2015 via Profound Lore Records
Not much is known about Abyssal at all with near negligible hits on the internet coupled with the refusal to do interviews and promo shots making these a bit of a mystery to track any information about. What is left then, is the music and billed as dark ambient death metal, becomes an even more intriguing prospect. Now on their third album, and first to be released via a label, Abyssal may be about to break their cover and on the basis of this release, now just may be the right time.
Antikatastaseis is, as described, ambient death metal, and what this consists of is a number of vicious metal songs coupled with ambient interludes. At least it seems so on first listen and it’s only when the album sinks in a little more that you start to hear so much more. The integration of death metal with a genre more known for atmosphere starts to weave an interesting spell and whilst not reaching the grand guignol heights of a black metal release, Abyssal instead reveal a dark, beating heart that pulsates with threat and doom.
Each track featured here is of a greater piece and should be taken in as a whole to get the full impact of this album and you can expect to get all the familiar tropes of death metal thrown in. Blast beats and chainsaw riffs grind out an unforgiving atmosphere whilst the growling vocals bear fruit to disturbing imagery. There is progression here too and not just in the blending of ambient signatures into the music, riffs take on a different tempo when least expecting or a breakdown in the music reveals hidden textures that really shouldn’t be on a death metal album.
It’s not an easy listen although it does have a peculiar soothing element to it even when the riff reaches manic levels and it feels like it truly is the end of time. Abyssal don’t hold back and why should they when they are capable of making such interesting music as this. Indeed, they should be celebrated for bringing something utterly new and different to a genre which has had more than its share of ups and downs. It’s also great to see a band prepared to progress when a lot of their contemporaries are returning to a more classic sound.
The mysterious attitude adopted by Abyssal works a treat when faced with music such as this and you hope that they can continue in this vein. Whether they can now they are releasing music via Profound Lore records remains to be seen and there is sure to be a clamour for interviews. Let’s hope they keep it for the music though as you won’t find a more intriguing assault on your ears from the death metal community than here and Abyssal can stand as beacons of a future scene, which embraces more progressive aspects.
