ABSTRACTED states on their Bandcamp page that they are an Extreme Progressive Metal band founded in 2013, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Well, I suppose that is as close to the truth that I am hearing on "Hiraeth", their sophomore studio album. This is my first time with ABSTRACTED, so I haven't had the pleasure of encountering their 2015 EP "Ophidian" or even their 2022 debut album "Atma Conflux". And after hearing what is on "Hiraeth" I certainly need to rectify that, as I can tell you right away that I am actually listening to a very impressive album. Which of course means that I need to find out how they sounded before.

Now ABSTRACTED are a band that mixes Progressive Metal with wither Death metal, like on opening track "Axis". This song will undoubtedly make you compare what they do with a major player like OPETH, but please don't. Even though they use the same ingredients, the result of the recipe and meal presented is different. I am glad that they're also not afraid to mix it with some more recent elements, like Metalcore. This happens on the second song on the album, "Languish". Here you will also hear female vocals, courtesy of Chaney Crabb, the American singer for ENTHEOS. It does add an extra layer of excitement that is very welcome. On the third track "Sirens" the music is pure Progressive Metal, with only a few stabs into other directions. What ties them together is not only that they are all completely ABSTRACTED, but also that they all have an identity that is pure their own. I can list every other track as well, but you'll just have to believe me when I say that I just can't stop enjoying what "Hiraeth" is shoving through my speakers.

On top of that there is no denying that these people have the gift of being bloody good song writers as well, as every song on "Hiraeth" is beautiful, well balanced, but also with enough unsuspecting turns and breaks that every time you listen you can't help but discover and/or hear something that you hadn't noticed before. That to me makes a record a diamond in the rough, as you just don't have a clue when the explorations will be complete. To me this means that ABSTRACTED is a band to keep an eye and ear on, as I hope and suspect that they aren't at the end of their musical expansions and definitions. As I believe they still have room to grow my rating will be excellent for now, giving them the room to do just that.