Review | Ad Infinitum – Abyss

Napalm Records

`Abyss’, the fourth album by Ad Infinitum, released recently, slipped through my scope. The album however marks a bold evolution in the band‘s sound, blending their modern metal with pop influences, while maintaining its robust boldness. It simply cannot go untouched on our pages.

This new 10-track album showcases the band’s journey from their symphonic metal roots to a more accessible, genre-bending style that is both intriguing and refreshing. With Melissa Bonny at the helm, they steer their vehicle straight into heavy grooves and dynamic outbursts of grandeur, checking all boxes!

INFECTIOUS POP HOOKS AND HEAVY GUITAR RIFFS

The album opens with ,,My Hal’’, a track that immediately sets the tone with its infectious pop hooks and heavy guitar riffs. The song features Melissa Bonny’s soaring vocals, gliding elegantly over the song’s pulsating rhythm section. The chorus is memorable and catchy, immediately nesting, while showcasing Bonny’s ability to deliver powerful melodies while maintaining a pop sensibility. Clear as crystal, powerful when surging heavier elements. The contrast is what thrives.

In ,,Surrender’’, the band leans even heavier on electronic elements, combining a driving beat with layered synths that create an atmospheric backdrop. Here, Melissa shines with her dynamic vocal delivery, alternating between ‘softened’ verses and explosive heavy choruses. Packing a heavy groove, it blends styles with smacking briskness. The production is polished, making it clear that Ad Infinitum aims to reach a broader audience without sacrificing their heavy roots.

LYRICAL THEMES

,,Outer Space’’ stands out as one of the album’s most compelling tracks. It injects ethereal verses with crushing djent-inspired riffs, creating a captivating push-and-pull dynamic. The lyrics explore themes of isolation and longing, and Bonny’s vocal performance is particularly poignant here, showcasing her range and emotional depth. The bridge features an unexpected shift in tempo that adds to the song’s intensity, leading into a powerful climax that leaves a lasting impression. It is one of the top 10 tracks for the 2024 charts, channelling innate explorative prowess and wide varied styles. The song calls into ,,Aftermath” which is built on reminiscent electronic keyboard and synth elements. The off trade of the grunted outcall contrasts with Melissa’s intense poppy vocal delivery, touching all registers.

,,Follow Me Down’’ offers another highlight, blending melodic hooks with aggressive instrumentation. The track features intricate guitar work from Adrian Thessenvitz, whoms riffs are both technical and engaging, while the themes and melodies are on point constantly. Together with the dynamic groove and rhythm changes he charges the song. The chorus is anthemic, inviting listeners to sing along while Bonny’s vocal lines soar with sheer bliss, moaning and before going all progressive. The bridge introduces a moment of vulnerability before launching back into its heavy chorus, demonstrating the band’s ability to balance light and dark elements perfectly.

A HIGH STANDARD OF DELIVERY

,,Parasite’’ takes a darker turn with its relentless energy and aggressive instrumentation. The song features intense screams alongside Bonny’s grunted sections and compelling melodic lines, creating a stark contrast that enhances its impact. The rhythm section drives the track forward with precision, while the guitar work incorporates complex time signatures keeping listeners constantly engaged.

The overall standard of their delivery is high and engaging with benchmark songs like ,,The One You’ll Hold On To” with its great melody lines and sudden ponderous groove deployed, the cinematic tech groover ,,My Halo” and mid-tempo ,,Euphoria” with its towering chorus and lush keyboard raining into the mix, directly connecting with their core base and wide array of symphonic metal addicts.

A MINOR MISS

However, not every track hits the mark equally. ,,Anthem for the Broken’’, while ambitious in its lyrical themes of resilience and struggle, falls somewhat flat in execution. Very epic and lamenting, the song borders with Kamelot before propelled by its progressive drum rhythms, taking it into the epic bridge. Adrian’s guitar playing is astonishing and with the tempo shifting the song brings an intense dynamic forward that doesn’t ignite in the vocals. The song has a lot of ground to cover but falls short on its melodic contents, and not even the daunting explorative instrumental section can save it. Let this not throw you off, as it is merely a minor miss in the high potency of the song’s instrumental delivery.

Nonetheless, the song has me looking forward to their next album for sure.

AD INFINITUM – THE CONCLUSION

`Abyss’ again showcases Ad Infinitum’s willingness to experiment and evolve while retaining their core identity. The album is marked by powerful vocals and an intriguing blend of heavy and melodic elements that invite both long-time fans and newcomers to explore their sound. With standout tracks like ,,Outer Space’’ and ,,Surrender’’, Ad Infinitum has crafted an engaging listening experience that reflects their growth as artists in the modern metal landscape, hitting home immediately!

Release date: 11 October 2024