Some bands are projects from musicians with tons of experience over their shoulders, so one can have high expectations on what it will present. And international projects are always welcome when things are great, and it’s a great pleasure to hear an album as “Abyssal”, the second one from THE GIANT VOID. Two members are from Brazil: Felipe Colenci (who played with BLACKDOME and FIRE DIAMOND, and owns Fuzzr, a production for audio), Hugo Rafael (the singer of SAMBÔ, a famous group that fuses Rock and Samba; and he won a TV program on Brazil called ‘Jovens Talentos’ and appeared on The Voice Brasil), and Michael Ehré (the German drummer known for his work with GAMMA RAY, PRIMAL FEAR, THE UNITY, FIREWIND, and others, and a known producer as well). With such lineup, great things can be expected, and they did another masterpiece with focus on a form of Heavy/Power Metal with elements from South American Groove (especially on the vocals) that bleeds in pure energy and creative insight. Obviously some references on influences can be tracked, but the trio works in a personal way.

Felipe did the production and mixing of “Absyssal” himself, and as happened on “Thought Insertion”, his work resulted on a crystalline and heavy sonority that allows the understanding of everyone. But as his work demands to deal with musicians of other musical genres, he implemented ideas that fit on the album (the bass guitar is clear throughout all the songs), becoming a new model to be used in the future for other bands. Musically, “Abyssal” explores new possibilities, being a bit darker and heavier than “Thought Insertion”. But its value can be heard on all the songs.

“Dirty Sinner” is a massive blow of energy and contrasts between melodic and nasty parts, always based on Hugo’s strong singing. “Ashen Empire Pt 1 - Rising Empire” is the second one, beginning in a deeper and melancholic ‘maidenian’ form, but soon it brings things to a heavier and modern point with strong bass guitar and drums parts (Michael and Felipe and in great form). The heavy artillery opens fire with “The Key”, a song filled with excellent groove parts and hooking melodies (and what great guitar riffs and arrangements), with the sequence given by “Monster Within”, a song that follows the same heavy and melodic tendency from the previous one (unless for some Power Metal touches in some moments).

“The Black Pit” is into a more Power Metal trench, but sinuous and plenty of a massive weight and an elegant work on the instrumental parts (especially on bass guitar arrangements). The same happens on “Mars”, where some Hard Rock touches can be heard (maybe due the excellent keyboards arrangements). Into a more accessible way is “Inner Truth” due its Hard Rock outfit with some AOR touches, again with great bass playing and drumming as well (Michael is really an amazing drummer). And the long “War Heroes” is rich in instrumental arrangements, but the excellent singing of Hugo’s rules supreme.

“Chosen One” brings the band into a weighty Power Metal trench, with modern and heavy outfit (but the elegant technical appeal is evident as well). And they extrapolate things in terms of modern heaviness on “Dimensions Collide”, again with a very good melodic and technical appeal. On “Ashen Empires Pt 2 - NWO” - obviously the sequence of the first part -, even with the abrasive weight and modern outfit, it brings some Prog Metal influences with charming keyboards’ silk ambiences. And “Human Downfall” closes the album with a magic touch of combined elements of modern Heavy Metal and Power Metal (pay attention to some merciless blast beat on the drums and the harsh tunes of the vocals) contrasting with elegant parts inherited from Jazz Rock and Bossa Nova.

As always, THE GIANT VOID brings the listeners to a different and refreshing experience. Check out “Abyssal” and take your own conclusions:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47wwTdG
Deezer: https://bit.ly/Abyssal_Deezer
Apple Music: https://apple.co/49Gj9ip
Youtube: https://bit.ly/Abyssal_Youtube