AD INFINITUM albumAD INFINITUM
Abyss

Danish/German modern metal band AD INFINITUM return with their latest album Abyss, out on October 11, 2024, via Napalm Records. Since debuting in 2020, the group has continuously transformed their sound, and Abyss marks their most dynamic effort yet. Moving away from their symphonic metal foundation, this album ventures into a fresh blend of heavy, rhythmic complexity and progressive elements. Featuring powerful guitar work and Melissa Bonny’s increasingly versatile vocals, Abyss presents a band unafraid to explore new territory, offering an engaging listen that’s sure to please fans, old and new.

Opening with My Halo, the album immediately grabs the listener’s attention with its haunting lyrics and pop-tinged vocal lines. While the song starts slow and ethereal, it soon erupts into a breakdown featuring Melissa Bonny’s harsh vocals, giving it a dark, dynamic shift. Though its chorus leans more toward a pop formula, the track is expertly produced, balancing catchiness with heaviness. The single is a strong introduction to an overarching theme: the juxtaposition of melancholy, triumph, love, and loss packaged together with sci-fi-themed sounds.

Follow Me Down (released as the next single) picks up the pace, diving into a more technical, guitar-driven sound with layered vocals that blend clean and harsh tracks. The futuristic atmosphere hinted at in the first track becomes more pronounced here, with synths subtly enhancing the overall sound. The chorus is one of the album’s most memorable, and the song closes on a high note with strong guitar and drum performances. This interplay of metal aggression and pop sensibility becomes a defining trait of Abyss.

Outer Space continues this balance, introducing harsher vocals right out of the gate. The futuristic, spacey feel of the synths adds an otherworldly atmosphere, and while the guitar riff is simple, the constant shifts in melody keep the track engaging. The interlude, featuring non-distorted guitar and clean vocals, offers a beautiful moment of calm before returning to the half-tempo chorus. It’s a track that showcases AD INFINITUM’s ability to craft intricate, layered compositions while maintaining accessibility.

The band’s versatility shines through again with Surrender, a recent single that starts with electronic beats more akin to electronic music than metal. Halfway through, the track morphs into a powerful, metal-driven piece, with Melissa delivering guttural vocals that catch listeners off guard. The chorus is by far one of the album’s strongest, combining commercial appeal with exceptional production. The track’s unexpected moments symbolize the album’s overall versatility and, in my case, quickly became an album favourite.

Aftermath brings a heavier, industrial edge with its electronic synth elements and emotionally charged vocals. Though repetitive in structure, the song’s dynamic shifts in vocal expression keep it compelling. Meanwhile, Euphoria takes a different approach with notable vocal effects reminiscent of Siobhan Heap’s Hide And Seek, adding an experimental touch to the album. The song’s vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar interlude create a lighter, more introspective moment amidst the heavier tracks.

One of the album’s key moments comes with Anthem For The Broken. Opening with piano and subtle sound effects, the track builds into a powerful piece featuring intricate drumming and a (possibly) Arabic-inspired section three-quarters of the way through. The guitar solo in this track, though short, is memorable, and the song closes with an intense layering of instruments and vocals that feel epic in scope.

Later tracks, like The One You’ll Hold On To and Parasite, bring the energy back up with faster tempos and more complex guitar work, while Dead End adds a nu-metal flavour with its distinct vocal tones and drum patterns. This variety ensures that the album never stagnates, with each track offering something new and unexpected.

The album concludes with the orchestral version of My Halo, stripping away the metal elements to reveal a beautifully orchestrated ballad. It’s a fitting end to an album that has taken listeners on a dynamic, emotional journey. While orchestral tracks are often added as a ‘bonus’, I felt that this track stands on its own legs, allowing the listener to fully appreciate both Melissa Bonny’s vocals and the orchestration. It’s something very special.

For me, Abyss possesses a clear signature sound and visual aesthetic that could easily translate into a space-themed science fiction film – huge sounds complemented by beautiful atmospheric synths and orchestration. Each song is meticulously crafted, with carefully timed breaks and shifts that keep listeners on their toes. While the album may not offer traditional head-banging moments, its unpredictability and musical complexity more than make up for it. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, this is an album that demands attention and rewards multiple listens. It’s also worth noting that, paired with their video singles, it’s very apparent that the album’s style, sounds, visuals, and other aesthetics were planned in detail to create a powerful sense of cohesion.

Finally: Abyss is a daring fusion of progressive complexity and atmospheric depth, marking a key moment in Melissa Bonny’s artistic versatility and, at the same time, AD INFINITUM’s most dynamic and ambitious work to date.

Angela Ambrose