SLOW – Abîmes I
Release Date: 8th December 2023
Label: code666
Bandcamp
Genre: Funeral Doom Metal, Doom Metal, Death Metal.
FFO: Monolithe, Saturnus, Skepticism, Shape of Despair.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
SLOW currently stands as the Funeral Doom band to beat. Their previous release, IV Dantalion, was an epic journey that demonstrated the profound expression one can draw from personal pain. Now, with Abîmes I, SLOW faces the challenging task of maintaining their impeccable discography. In a metal landscape dominated by speed and technicality, it’s worth pondering the difficulty of crafting a 12-minute song with a minimal tempo that remains engaging. It’s this colossal challenge that renders good Funeral Doom so niche and unique. Despite initial doubts, SLOW, with their track record, seemed the band most likely to succeed, but did it manage?
Abîmes I feels as crushing as weeks of heavy snow punctuated by storms. As I traversed Sweden during my listening experience (on a business trip, sadly), the album harmonized seamlessly with the beauty and wrath of nature. With only four tracks, each brimming with emotion, the album never succumbs to boredom. While it occasionally lingers in one place for an extended period, the sublime nature of that place demands appreciation. This offering is tighter than its predecessor, focusing more on Doom than Dantalion IV, resulting in a more accessible listening experience—a rarity in this subgenre.
The instrumentation and sound create a perfect portrayal of emotional turmoil. From excellent vocals evoking despair to potent drone guitars, beautiful synths, and drums adapting well to their secondary role, Abîmes I is a blend of sadness and decadence, infused with a refusal to succumb. Tracks like Implode, Barren, and Abyss deliver epic lines, while the poignant closure at Collapse encapsulates pain and acceptance without resignation—an achievement that’s exceptionally challenging.
While the album may linger in some places a bit too long and doesn’t revolutionize Funeral Doom, it undeniably masters the genre. The spacious and filthy production adds to its allure, though it’s not for the uninitiated. The debate over its shorter, more straightforward nature being a positive or negative aspect in the realm of Funeral Doom is your choice to make.
In a year where my top Doom picks included Saturnus, Godthryrmm, and Hellish Form, SLOW complicates matters by introducing another almost perfect album to the discussion. In the race for the best album of the year, SLOW has no rush.
(4.5 / 5)
