Abyssal (UK)
Antikatastaseis


4.0
excellent

Review

by Pon EMERITUS
June 29th, 2015 | 100 replies


Release Date: 2015 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Abyssal's Profound Lore debut exceeds all expectations.

Though dismissive and exaggerated, the idea that Abyssal was something of a poor-man’s Portal had an element of truth to it. Had the one-man project – masterminded by the mysterious G.D.C. – continued in the direction it was headed, a career spent in the shadows of his idols seemed to be inevitable. Fortunately, Abyssal’s latest album has been built upon a foundation bearing little if any resemblance to that of its predecessors, all while maintaining the surface noise and quasi-formlessness that prompted the Portal comparisons to begin with. The newfound originality and sudden maturation in G.D.C.’s song-writing doesn’t just elevate Antikatastaseis above his earlier work, but plants it in the company of some of the best death metal albums of 2015 thus far.

In order to absorb the album’s intricacies, a solitary listen will not suffice, though it is safe to say that Antikatastaseis is Abyssal’s least demanding album by a comfortable margin. Such a remark will probably raise red flags en masse, but don’t be fooled into thinking Abyssal’s formula has simply been diluted, because the album’s comparative linearity is, in fact, hugely beneficial to the overall atmosphere. Dissonant, free-form riffage and frenetic drumming still dominate proceedings, while G.D.C.’s monotone gutturals linger on the periphery of your attention, creating a mood of unease, akin to the feeling of being watched or followed. On the surface, Antikatastaseis may appear inescapably dark, an ensemble of blackened platitudes that, while commendably executed, end up feeling a little one-dimensional. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Amid the gloomy aesthetic is an ever-present sense of optimism – a tenacious refusal to be consumed by despair.

It becomes obvious during the closing minutes of “The Cornucopian” that Abyssal is capable of far more than dread-laden brutality, as a strong harmonic presence begins to tear through the barrage of blackened sludge. But, it’s not until the fourth track that the album’s mood shifts so comprehensively. “Telomeric Erosion” is unlike anything heard from Abyssal before, the second half is harmonious, melodic and incredibly uplifting. The chord progression in the song’s climax wouldn’t sound out of place – dare I say – on an Insomnium album, a reflection compounded by the use of overarching synth lines that take the lead towards the song’s conclusion. “Chrysalis” makes use of a similar philosophy, except the mood shifts once again, this time from hopeful to triumphant. Repeated listens appear to unveil a thematic arc, feeling like an arduous journey bookended by adversity on one side and absolution on the other.

Antikatastaseis is such an all-round improvement for Abyssal that one could easily be convinced they were listening to a different band. However, it isn’t necessarily the quality that is most impressive, but more so the complete reversal of strategies utilised, and the responses it manages to elicit. Death metal is notorious for its homogeny, the blackened variant further still. So for an act like Abyssal to demonstrate this kind of flexibility, in light of what we’ve been given in the past, is actually quite extraordinary.



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user ratings (172)
3.8
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
emester
June 29th 2015


8271 Comments


Great review and great album. Really dug how this turned out.

emester
June 29th 2015


8271 Comments


one gripe i do have with the album is that piano melody in the second half of the third track. kinda makes an otherwise great track sound sloppy. Granted, it does all come together in the last minute or so but I mean still

tempest--
June 29th 2015


20634 Comments


so i guess this will go onto the list

osmark86
June 29th 2015


11538 Comments


solid review jac. will give this a go again now.

oresttt
June 29th 2015


1181 Comments


This is sweet. Good review jac!

osmark86
June 29th 2015


11538 Comments


gotta say I agree on the repeated music box bit. interesting idea, but it just ends up sounding awkward in the mix (minus when it comes together in the final "epic" riff).

Gameofmetal
Emeritus
June 29th 2015


11771 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

i believe I already bookmarked this from one of voivod's billion news articles



will check

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 29th 2015


18317 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I need this...

osmark86
June 29th 2015


11538 Comments


quite the pleasant listen Nocte.

osmark86
June 29th 2015


11538 Comments


I like my prog gentle........... gyayuhnt

RivalSkoomaDealer
June 29th 2015


1645 Comments


Album fuckin' rules btw m/

Vetimus
June 30th 2015


809 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Band is underrated as fuck on here, to many shit-taste dick heads talk shit on this band on here.

Vetimus
July 1st 2015


809 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Check all their reviews, there are a bunch of people saying how average they are, nothing to overrated about a band that most people dislike on here.





It surprises me how run of the mill people say this band is because usually this kind of music is worshipped here.

Vetimus
July 1st 2015


809 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Its an improvement, but that Novit album is fantastic, its an example of how music of this style SHOULD be done.



That fact that this is coming from I think only one man is amazing.



If im correct I think its a one man bad.

Gameofmetal
Emeritus
July 7th 2015


11771 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

pretty brutal m/

BadgerU
July 9th 2015


13 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Between this, Ad Nauseam, and to a different degree Akhyls it's been a great year for all things spooky Hitchcock metal.

zaruyache
July 16th 2015


27882 Comments


does this pwn or does this pwn dang

Gameofmetal
Emeritus
July 17th 2015


11771 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

the second thing i think

Telekinetic
July 24th 2015


82 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This is amazing, sure exceeded my expectations, this might even be better than mitochondrions parasignosis

Deez
August 6th 2015


10501 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Great record. I also dont get the hate towards this band.



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