Today we delve into an experimental, cacophonous take on progressive death metal as VoidCeremony unveils their third full-length album, Abditum (20 Buck Spin Records). The band continues its search for meaning within chaotic riff structures, though this time the journey feels more fragmented than illuminating. Their trademark fusion of astral dissonance and technical precision remains intact, yet the cohesion that made their previous release, Threads of Unknowing, so compelling seems to have fractured.
“Veracious Duality” and “Seventh Ephemeral Aura” affirm that Garrett Johnson and Jayson McGehee are musicians of exceptional caliber, capable of composing tightly structured songs that balance complexity with intent. Their performances showcase captivating solos and fierce dynamics, all underscored by an exploratory essence. Echoes of Between the Buried and Me and Death resonate throughout, as the band constructs intricate chordal impasto and spiraling guitar passages that feel both cerebral and otherworldly. Followed by “Dissolution,” an execrable interlude, faltering momentum, breaking the album’s immersive flow.
“Despair of Temporal Existence” and “Failure of Ancient Wisdoms” share a sound that lands somewhere between Pomegranate Tiger and The Faceless, progressive and fluid, yet tighter and less self-indulgent, like a cleaner, more coherent take on that lineage (and, frankly, with a bit less heroin in the mix). There are flashes of intricate guitar work and tight riffing to admire, but neither song leaves a lasting impression, making them competent yet forgettable waypoints in an otherwise adventurous record. Where “Silence Which Ceases All Minds” and “Gnosis of Ambivalence” are unquestionably highlights of Abditum. From shredding guitar solos to orbital, spiraling riffs, and the vigorous drumming of Dylan Marks, these tracks exemplify the band at their most precise, creative, and exhilarating.
Overall, Abditum is an ambitious record that showcases VoidCeremony’s technical skill and adventurous spirit, but it doesn’t always land. Moments of brilliance are tempered by filler and occasional overindulgence in abstraction. Fans of experimental progressive death metal will find plenty to admire, but for the casual listener, the album’s density and uneven pacing may prove taxing. This bold, intriguing effort ultimately feels more impressive in concept than in execution.
Buy the album here:
https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/abditum
7 / 10
ROBBY PERRY
Follow his work here: