ABHORIA is a Black Metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 2017. “Depths” is the band’s sophomore LP release, and it has nine songs. “Emergence” is first; a short instrumental leading to “The Inexorable Truth,” which has dissonant guitars, rolling drums, and absolutely filthy vocals. The chord progressions are a bit unusual, even for Black Metal, and they create a harrowing landscape of endless greys. “The Well” has more uncommon and dissonant chords to go along with filthy vocals that vary from even gutturals to outright screams. The bass stands out as well, something that you don’t often hear in the genre. 

“They Hunt at Night” has some nifty meter shifts among the seeming chaos, and a guitar solo even makes an appearance. One thing that I can say about the band is that they take a totally different approach to the genre. “Devour” paints a desolate and hopeless picture, with a slow moving guitar and thick, heavy bass lines. It picks up steam as it moves along, with gradual layers of death added. “The Founding” is another dissonant offering where the guitar grate against the norm with a key that doesn’t connect, and I believe that is the point. Let the sound soak in, and you will feel what the band is trying to do.

“Ghosts in the Smoke” has more uncommon chord structures, and although the sound is nearly bereft of melody, take a ride on the side that you don’t often venture to. It’s sort of like trying to learn to write with your left hand. “Winter’s Embrace” closes the album, and you guessed it, it’s another unconventional song. Overall, I have to remark on two things. First, and I mentioned this pretty clearly, the songs are different than what the average Black Metal fan has come to expect. The progressions…the meters…the unusual connections, or even lack thereof. All of these things make for a unique listening experience. Second, however, some of the songs run together a bit, so the band could work to diversify their approach.