Style: Atmospheric death metal with a touch of doom
Primary Emotions/Themes: Staring into voids, cool ass death metal
Thoughts: "This is how I like my death metal," was spoken of this album when shared with a friend. I tend to agree. The older I get the less I like the brutal for brutalities sake version of death metal. I prefer the more contemplative and atmospheric take on the genre and Abyssgazer fits that role well.
Aphotic is a new band that specializes in atmospheric death/doom. The atmosphere itself is conducive to reflecting on life's events and challenges. The dark and somewhat dissonant tones give the music a bit of a nihilistic take on these subjects, but considering the state of the world that's not too far off.
What helps the music gain it's contemplative edge are the riffs. They are allowed to expand beyond themselves - they feel like they are never cut short. There is no stop/start riffing, the riffs are fully developed and are allowed to breathe. Of course there are faster sections where the riffs are a bit more contained than a whole note chord, but for the most part the music has an expansive tone to it.
The doom isn't something that's shoved into the mix just to have slower sections. It's woven into the DNA of every riff. Even when the music is blasting away the essence of a doom riff with all its heavy mournful glory is in there. When the music does slow down, the doom takes full hold and the music oozes sorrow and a deep longing.
As good as the music is there are a few points where the riffs don't quite work, where the atmosphere suffers a bit, where the vocals or one of the instruments feels just a bit off. These moments are rare but they are there and they take me out of the flow of the album. Thankfully they are brief when they happen and I'm right back into being swept up in the album within a riff or two.
Missteps aside, when these guys hit they hit hard. Abyssgazer is a strong debut and a promising start to a young band. I look forward to seeing what they come up with in the future.
Written September 1st 2023
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