The smallest change can make for a wildly different record, by all accounts. Whether it’s the addition of one instrument or even its removal, the changing of a single member of a line-up, or the simplest shift of a dial in post-production, change can be something that can make for a wildly different experience for any of us. For me tonight, a small shift in direction of what I find myself listening to is just the change I’ve been needing after sifting through several albums to lose myself in. The realm of symphonic metal is not something that I find myself in often, but should I keep coming across bands like Abyssic and albums like this then that is a shift that I am definitely going to have to make.

More often than not in my experience, symphonic metal is wildly promising but very few manage to deliver an experience that’s as large as what’s promised by any given band with few finding themselves in the style managing to craft experiences that don’t come across as feeling too processed or having a fancy gloss finish that gives the music a sheen that I sometimes can liken only to plastic. But, when the tide changes to something darker and gloves come off in the process, it can make for a tremendous experience like extremely few others when it’s crafted by the right hands. When it comes to the very name of Abyssic, I find myself wondering how it has taken me this long to come across this name. For its third effort since its debut six years ago, Abyssic has come upon a creation of magnificent detail and gripping passion that one could effortlessly lose themselves in as its every sliver of “Brought Forth in Iniquity” that keeps you absolutely glued in place as each moment offers us a new glimpse into a dark world of splendor and wonder before being utterly pummeled by the intensity of Abyssic that is done to an astounding degree. There is no opportunity not taken for ultimate glory in this performance with Abyssic never once dropping the ball for all five of these tracks in the whole of its over-50-minute runtime to the point that I can only ever hope to leave you with a singular piece of advice before diving into the majesty of “Brought Forth in Iniquity”: expect the unexpected.

This is nothing like anything that I’ve heard in months, and it’s in every possible way that this is a creation that I’ve been needing without knowing it. Abyssic has truly brought forth a performance that one should break their very neck in order to get a proper glimpse of for all that it accomplishes in any given track here with the end result nothing but mind-blowing excellence fueled by otherworldly orchestrations that come together to enable “Brought Forth in Iniquity” to become nothing for a true spectacle.

“Brought Forth in Iniquity” releases on October 28th via Osmose Productions!

LISTEN to Abyssic on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Abyssic on Facebook here.