From Bandcamp, “SOUL DEMISE, the melodic death metal band from Bavaria, Germany, returns in 2025 with their new album "Against the Abyss.” Staying true to their roots, the band continues to deliver a dynamic mix of brutal intensity and intricate melodies, a style they've embodied since 1993. This new release maintains the band's trademark sound while offering a fresh and more open production, reflecting their growth and willingness to evolve within the melodic death metal landscape. Fans will recognize their signature blend of Gothenburg-inspired elements and modern energy, making this album both familiar and exciting.”

The album has 12 songs, and “Into the Abyss” is first. It’s a short mood-setter, and the mood is somber, angry, and oppressive. It rolls into “Destiny’s Edge,” which definitely has that quintessential “Gothenburg” sound of guitar harmonies in combination with harsh vocals. But it doesn’t leave much room for any further experimentation…like clean vocals, keyboards, and other effects. “Broken Skin” has a similar sound, although the pacing is slower at first. Some bands in this genre have the drive and the heart, but often misstep by pushing aggression ahead of melody. Fortunately, this song has plenty of both, although it does teeter on the aggressive side.

“Scattered by the Storm” is slower in pace but again, a similar sound remains. Five songs into the album, and I don’t think we are going to get any surprises here. We are getting plenty of oppression, just not much melody. “Unbreakable” has a much faster pace, but, you guessed it, the sound is similar once again, and this is quickly becoming a forgettable sound. “Echoes of Time” pushes the envelope a little more, and the band is beginning to break free from some early constraints, especially in the chorus. “Last Breath” has a brutal, punishing bottom end that doesn’t venture too far out there. Some fans will find this fact comforting, but I always appreciate more surprises.

“Glimmer of Hope” is more of the same, unfortunately, and so it the closer, “Veil of Solitude.” Although it is much longer than many of the songs, the sound doesn’t change much. My biggest concern with the album is that they didn’t push themselves into uncharted territory. MeloDeath is a genre most Metalheads are familiar with, and it works best for me to push as much melody as naked aggression, but these seasoned veterans have chosen the latter over the former here. The album suffers from a similar sound from song to song. Some would call this “cohesive,” but I call it “safe.”