If atmosphere is what you want, then atmosphere is what you get with the latest opus from Abstract The Light. ‘Magna Sapientia Quaerere – To The Depths Of Thy Soul’ is a magnificent grand beast and it is made up of 7 individual tracks which are all proud soundscapes that seem to sit on their own individuality yet intertwining with each other to create a huge marathon of an event.
‘H.U.N.T.E.R’ opens up the journey and carves you open to 11 plus minutes of decadence and atmosphere. The intro is reminiscent of the audio soundtrack you would hear coming from Lucifer’s workshop south of heaven and then it opens up to a rhythmic and groovy guitar melody with coarse and vicious vocals. It is layered with melody and rhythm and the main earlier body of the tracks sways between a catchy and punchy groove and then a slower, more relaxed approach. Mid track the tempo slows considerably and the atmosphere rolls in like an early morning fog on the horizon, or a sea mist bobbing along the waves, I can’t begin to explain the atmosphere that is on display and one that certainly wouldn’t go amiss next to a fire pit on a snowy crisp mid-winter evening. The vocals are doomier; more harrowing and the whole track has been finely tuned to allow more expression to the score before it then reverts back to the style of the opening half.
‘Spinning Plates In The Tapestry Of Existence’ is more plodding and chugging than its predecessor, although the vocals are rawer and more spiteful. Clocking in at the sub four minute mark this is a springboard into the sensory and relaxing world you are about to set foot into, and it seems that the band have taken this opportunity to demonstrate that they can do all out black metal before the beauty that is about to be showcased.
‘Waters Of Fire’ certainly lives up to its name, sounds of the waves lapping at the shore and the creaking of an old wooden boat begin the track before intricate and gentle acoustic six strings join the fray. This is purely the intro to the electric strings taking over and injecting some more passion into the track, all delivered with pride and elegance. The vocals are more of a whispered style and clean vocals get a release mid track to support the track in its wealth of styles and directions. Coarse vocals once again get an airing and the back drop of melodic and speedy chords are matched perfectly to create harmonious soundscapes.
‘Broken Shards, Of Inner Self’ is another monster, clocking in at over the ten minute mark, opening with beautiful acoustic guitar doodles and then moving into the electric realms. This is groovy and catchy, fast paced and swinging. The rhythm is astronomical and this seems to be the perfect back drop for the vocals to work their black magic once again. Spoken vocals are set against majestic guitar magic mid track and this creates atmosphere beyond belief. The guitar solo is mesmerising and captivating. The drum work sitting beside it all is also noteworthy as its powerful and commanding in its own right.
‘Primeval Essence Of Nothingness’ opens with the wind swirling and chimes glistening before a more chaotic and malevolent rant takes over. There aren’t any real interludes of gentle sections to be talked about on this one, it’s more of a tuned up and charismatic out and out assault from the offset. It doesn’t benefit from any of the core harmonies or relaxed acoustic sections we have been witness to on the other tracks. This also carries on into the penultimate track, ‘Smouldering Black, Thy Heart’, and this is probably the rawest and most aggressive track on the album. It’s upbeat, angry and venomous. The vocals are all out raw and primitive, matching perfectly with the ferocious onslaught from the fretboards and drum kit. There are switches in the delivery throughout and the melodies are interchanging at every possible moment. We are opened up to some haunting chanting and vocal song which would not seem out of place in some ancient monastery in the foot hills. The track then ends with some more riotous vocals and blasting instrumental work.
‘Carousels Of Eternity’ is the granddaddy on the album in terms of track length. It opens with more atmosphere and acoustic guitar before smoothly morphing into a melodic and catchy electric piece. The vocals are gnarly and deeper, with a definite growl, than on previous numbers but they do switch beautifully into the rawer end of the spectrum at times when the track calls upon it for that injection of power. There are sublime guitar solos intermittently dotted about the track and there are even clean vocals layered against the raspier and dirtier vocals at times. All this makes for an absolute workout of a track. By the closing bars you will feel exhausted and beaten.
This is an album which demands concentration and attention. Reminiscent at times of an Opeth release, your sole devotion to this will make it more valuable and ensure you gather as much from it as possible.
When you are ready for a listen to something more complex and intricate………………..then this is definitely your next purchase.
(7/10 Phil Pountney)
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