To label Abstract Spirit as funeral doom is a bit like saying the pope is a bit religious. Reason one; it doesn’t take much to notice that these aren’t in the business of making ‘happy’ tunes, and Reason two; the label doesn’t quite do them justice. I say this not as I’d consider these to be the most outstanding example funeral doom has to offer, but because there is a lot going on here if you scratch beneath the surface. As an album, this certainly isn’t in a hurry to get anywhere and as with quite a lot of down-tempo music this doesn’t thrill me from the get go. With some perseverance on my part this album gradually reveals itself as something rather good.
If Abstract Spirit does one thing exceptionally well it is to paint a vividly dark picture. ‘Tragedy and Weeds’ is the opening track and builds an atmosphere that’s virtually pitch black, while a spectral trail creeps up from underneath so gradually that you don’t see it coming. There is a soothing melody that soon works its way into the mix and intensifies as the track comes to its demise broiling up into a cacophony of sounds. ‘Funeral Waltz’ does exactly what is engraved on the tombstone; a languorous waltz that makes you want to close your eyes and dance your way to the cemetery dressed head-to-toe in black, face covered by a veil. There’s a hint of Gothic romanticism to this one and I find it both seductive and perhaps a little cheeky in a respect.
‘Crucifixion Without Regret’ ploughs forth with intensity; guitars crush while there’s an air of pomp brought in by the brass section that casually falls into line, working its way round in a seemingly endless loop feeling rather like a spirit caught in limbo unable to pass on. Read of that what you will; depending on your mood it can sound hypnotic or just monotonous and certainly around the middle of this album this can feel a bit like hard work. It’s soon time to ‘Face The Nightmare’ which clambers slowly toward the precipice, throwing some wistful flurries into the mix that sound rather dreamy, and eventually it flings completely off the rails into some mad violent piano bashing that’s akin to getting bludgeoned over the head rather clumsily with a hammer.
The jarring scrapes and heavy guitars offer an ugly start to ‘Wrapped In Solitude’ and lead into a tragedy inflicted verse that’s of a more tuneful, and somnolent disposition. This has a drifting sense of wonder in places, as ethereal keys seep through heavy chords, before taking a pas glissade into ‘Sepulchral Winter.’ There is a light and airy feel as the tracks meld together and there’s that enchanted forest feel as an ice-cold wind blows through. The solitary guitar weaves through and works nicely, as we get a sense of sadness and solitude and also that creepiness that I really connected with earlier on the album. There’s a huge, exploding bass here and a sense of perpetual foreboding twinned with an underlying sense of unease that brings us to the finish line.
I love the dark, horror-esque ambience that permeates this album, but at times I’m left feeling a little unsatisfied. Abstract Spirit are definitely on the right track but I don’t think their sound is quite fully developed yet; a few years down the line I can see these will be one of the bands everyone’s talking about.
http://www.myspace.com/abstractspirit
http://www.doom-metal.ru
