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Chao Abyssi – Spiritual Essence [EP]

chao abyssi – spiritual essence [ep]

Info

The Polish label Black Death Promotion presents us with the debut release of their countrymen, Chao Abyssi. This first EP titled ‘Spiritual Essence’ of the otherwise mysterious act comes at the start of 2023 on CD.

Nowadays there are plenty of bands playing a style of Black Metal that could rightfully be called Polish Black Metal. Chao Abyssi instead are more reminiscent of Scandinavian bands, although there is a hint of that old Behemoth sound on ‘Spiritual Essence’. But Behemoth was very much influenced by the Norwegian scene in the first place. You could argue ‘Spiritual Essence’ has a bit more of that Finnish melodicism and atmosphere but there’s certainly a strong Norwegian vibe as well. Regardless, the Black Metal on the band’s debut EP is fairly raw, with straightforward melodies, old school drum rhythms and croaking Black Metal vocals. This rawness also applies to the mix but is by no means Lo-Fi and is best described as gritty and balanced. Outside an intro and outro, the band presents us with three songs, of which ‘Through Him All Things Fall’ is both the shortest and the most straightforward. ‘Coven of Perdition’s acoustic intro and riffs give it a Pagan flair on top of a slightly more depressive touch and great subcutaneous melodies. The more old school riffs and rhythms of ‘Fields of Torment’ offer yet another slightly different facet of the sound of the band, but everything together ‘Spiritual Essence’ is a coherent EP. It offers the listener raw Black Metal with decent pace, a tad of melody and excellent vocals. A great debut EP for the band, let’s hope there is more to come!

Chao Abyssi

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