Belgium based SLOW is yet another project/band from the genius mind of Déhà. The project started as a solo ambient project but has morphed into a funeral doom band over the years, with the other half of the band now being Lore. “Abimes I” is their ninth full length album, in addition to a demo released in 2007.

This is a hard album to review. I don’t say that because it isn’t good—in fact, “Abimes I” is actually rather great. But, even for a funeral doom/drone band, the landscapes provided across the four tracks and forty three minute run time are as sparse as they are heavy. This isn’t an album where I can talk about what the best riff is or how powerful one movement is over another. “Abimes I” just simply isn’t that type of album. So what kind of album is it? For starters, it is one that will definitely only appeal to a select few people. The most hardcore of doom fans (such as myself) will find it a rewarding experience, providing they bring with them their utmost patience. However, for everyone else (including most other doom fans) this just isn’t the type of album they will find that resonates with them well. That isn’t a knock against it. As you can see by my score, this album is very much worthy but it is also a very esoteric experience that just isn’t for everyone. If you don’t like doom, you won’t like this. You’re just not. This isn’t an album that you pick up and say “I never liked doom before but this grabbed me.”

This album isn’t about grabbing. It is about experience, absorption and understanding. The words ‘epic,’ ‘landscape’ and ‘cinematic’ are thrown around by a lot of reviewers (including myself) but so few times does the music truly belong in those categories. “Abimes I” can definitely be describe using those words. This album truly envelops. As the music plays out like storm clouds slowly passing over, the full elemental power of the music takes over everything. Listen to any of these songs with a decent pair of headphones and your world will disappear, to be replaced by the one this album invites.

Each of the four songs are very subtle in the way they unfurl. Tortured death growls mix with slow, slow riffs while the bass and drums create their own unique oblivion. Upon first listen, each song sounds basically the same. But give it more time to sink and in and the subtleties will start to shine like a beacon in the dark. The songs, of course, share similar traits but end up being rather different from each other. There isn’t much to say about this album because it isn’t one for words. It is very unconventional and off the beaten path, even compared to most doom. My continued words would sully it—-this is something that needs to be experienced with the ears and mind, not by some metal nerd talking on a screen.

If you like doom, give this a chance. A real chance. Let it sink in. It isn’t background music. It is something you need to devote time to if you want to let the details reveal themselves.