The latest track courtesy of Sunken State ‘Abyss’ intrigues as much as it entertains. Fraught with stellar musicianship, technical aptitude and a sonic narrative that convulses like a anaconda with indigestion, this song melds a myriad of Metal sub-genres into a holistic piece of music that, although unique can alas sound labored at times.
Do not misconstrue the latter description for on the one hand I am taken by this song. The dynamic interplay that weaves its way through this immaculately composed piece is noteworthy. On the other hand, being the type of dude that does not possess much of a penchant for Underoath, Thursday or From Autumn To Ashes, being the type of sonic miscreant that likes his Metal fraught with ferocity, more often than not, I find that ‘’Abyss’’ shimmers far more than it shatters bones.
I am in no manner a genre purist and applaud extreme music that pivots in many a direction. With that stated I tend to resonate with melody in certain contexts as opposed to others. In that sense ‘’Abyss” with its confluence of ethereal fragility and bludgeoning fury doesn’t exactly float my boat for I find that this song does hold court within the former as opposed to the latter for the most part.
I find that Sunken State have shifted from the Thrash inflected Metalcore of their previous sonic incarnation to a type of Emo meets Deathcore sound on this song which is a hybrid that I do not resonate with hence my mixed feelings.
All in all “Abyss” is a superbly composed song executed with aplomb yet the sonic constellation it conjures forth is alas not a place I am prone to frequenting to often.
-Asher Locketz-