(Grant Skelton reviews the new album, released on Halloween, by the Mexican funeral doom band Abyssal.)
Way back in April, I reviewed a compilation album by the Mexican funeral room band Abyssal. Fernando Ruiz, the band’s vocalist, gave me the privilege of teasing Abyssal’s next release. At the time, the band provided the title Misanthrope, with a tentative release date of late summer. Although delayed until Halloween, Misanthrope has (thankfully) arrived.
Prominent among Abyssal’s attributes is their consistent adherence to single-track albums. Misanthrope follows in the footsteps of its predecessors in this regard. It is a solitary, immensely rewarding excursion best enjoyed if consumed in one sitting. Another significant aspect of the release is its length, topping out at just under 46 minutes.
Misanthrope is what happens when funeral doom makes itself a chrysalis. It enters a form of agitated hibernation. When it is sapped of energy, and can no longer muster the strength to crush the listener with despair, funeral doom dreams. And that dream is Misanthrope.
Abyssal deal in hazy, dreamy, almost peaceful tones. Their music is much more likely to pacify you than to flatten you. It is a quieter breed of funeral doom that inspires focus, reflection, and introspection. Misanthrope unfolds from vengeance into musing, minimalist movements of sorrow, pain, and anger.
This is an album that you will want to drift away and drown in. If it is possible to find beauty in bleakness (and I believe it is), then Misanthrope is it.
Stream/purchase here:
http://abyssaltj.bandcamp.com/album/m-i-s-a-n-t-h-r-o-p-e
ABYSSAL ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abyssal/156219394436397
4 Responses to “ABYSSAL: “MISANTHROPE””
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Was thinking this was the U.K. band at first glance
Perhaps that speaks to the multitude of abysses that make up our woeful planet. Each abyss has it’s own unique flavor of chaos.
Hey folks, really liking this, great album! I have a query and you guys might be able to help. A Funeral Doom album called “From Outer Spheres… Death” by the band Temple of Abandonment really stroke a chord with me. Another one that I keep coming back to is “The Inside Room” by 40 Watt Sun. Do you know any bands that I could enjoy that would resemble these two?
Sorry for the trouble and thank you for another great discovery. I don’t comment very often but finding this website is the best thing that ever happened to me musically. Kudos.
Hi Mathieu! Thanks so much for reading and commenting, especially since you said you don’t comment much.
I too am a fan of both Temple Of Abandonment and 40WS. Temple Of Abandonment released a new EP back in June. Find that here:
http://templeofabandonment.bandcamp.com/album/chasm-of-the-horned-pantheon-through-your-death-they-live
As for other bands, give Funeral Moth or Disrotted a try. They might have just what you’re looking for.