Review Summary: Behold the demons of distant lands.
Formerly known as Goat Molestör, Grave Miasma has proved to be one of the most interesting British death metal exports in the past decade. Their cavernous blackened formula follows the dark path of
Onward To Golgotha, conveying an orthodox stylistic heritage usually allergic to experimentation or creative deviations. Like their fellow countrymen Cruciamentum and Vacivus, the London lads thus have a style that favors the rawer, conservative side of the genre over a more technical and contemporary approach. This signature sound, orbiting mysticism and the occult, has remained essentially unchanged over the years, providing a layer of reliability and predictability to the band's output. Something relatively common within old-school formats and to the liking of the conservative fan base, which rejects any kind of betrayal to the 'true' death metal cause. Yet, despite this immutability, we are able to glimpse subtle metamorphoses throughout Grave Miasma's work, namely the slightly more atmospheric character of
Endless Pilgrimage that unveils a much-welcomed adventurous spirit.
As expected,
Abyss Of Wrathful Deities continues to address enigmatic dark themes, whether these are Tibetan burial rituals (Rogyapa) or mysterious mystical mountains (Kingdoms Beyond Kallash). Everything unfolds around death, resurrection and demons from distant lands, in a narrative that becomes a sonic haze that slowly unveils the mysteries of each chapter. Musically, the band doesn't stray from their trademark sound, focusing mostly on doomy mid-paced tempos and filthy tremolo picking, but now with a slightly more polished sound. As if we were wandering through a clean, airy cavern this time around. If, on the one hand, this refined look and feel takes away some of the atmosphere, on the other, it enhances the songwriting and musical performances. I believe this was the band's way of creating some sort of contrast with their debut album and
Endless Pilgrimage, however tenuous it may be. This neater, polished side of
Abyss Of Wrathful Deities is likely to be its most controversial element as the songs play it safe, orbiting the same cavernous aesthetic. 'Rogyapa', 'Erudite Decomposition' or 'Under the Megalith' are among the finest tracks these guys have ever recorded, and the mid-paced section of 'Kingdoms Beyond Kallash' features some of the best vocals I've heard this year within the genre.
Abyss Of Wrathful Deities is indeed a meticulous work, every detail has been carefully crafted and overall it meets expectations. Except for the expendable 'Interlude', we find no filler, and that’s a fact. However, despite its consistency, there is a sense of triviality, that is, a lack of ingredients that could catapult the music into creative stratospheres. It seems counterintuitive given the orthodox side of the band I mentioned earlier, yet
Abyss Of Wrathful Deities doesn't have the fire or energy of an album like
Endless Wound that somehow moves in common territory. This means something is missing creatively because, at the end of the day, even the most orthodox of genres lack some contemporaneity.
Grave Miasma's new chapter meets expectations, not for its originality or adventurous spirit, but because of its authenticity, which refuses to betray its roots. And I, as an old-timer and loyal listener, hope these lads keep flying the flag because as long as it is hovering in the air, there is a part of me that lives on.
