UMUR
"Labyrinth Of Veins" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based death metal act Static Abyss. The album was released through Peaceville Records in April 2022. Static Abyss was formed in March 2021 by drummer/lead vocalist Chris Reifert and bassist/guitarist Greg Wilkinson. Both have long careers on the extreme metal scene, and as of 2021 Wilkinson has joined Reifert in Autopsy.
Stylistically the material on the 10 track, 39:36 minutes long album is predominantly death/doom metal and as such the basis of the music isn´t that far from Autopsy´s output. You´ll also find the occasional nod towards hardcore punk. There are still some differences which make Static Abyss stand out though. The tracks are often more atmospheric, nightmarish horror themed, and epic in execution, which are typically not sounds Autopsy produce. Sure there´s a horror element in Autopsy´s music, but it´s typically in the more extreme, gory, and depraved end of the spectrum.
Reifert sounds as brutal, raw, and asylum bound as ever. His tortured growling vocal style is unique and expressive. His organic drumming style is also in place, and Wilkinson´s riffs and especially his morbid lead work are great assets to the band´s sound. It takes a few spins to tell the tracks apart, but I dare say that Static Abyss are a bit more accessible and write more memorable material than what we´ve been treated to on the last couple of Autopsy releases.
A small complaint though would be that most tracks feature the same elements, atmosphere, and playing style, and "Labyrinth Of Veins" therefore does become a slightly one-dimensional listen about halfway through the album. However when Static Abyss are best, they produce what to my ears is old school death metal/death-doom metal gold. It can´t be faked and there´s an authentic brutality and morbid atmosphere here which should please most fans of the style. Featuring a raw, yet clear and detailed sounding production, "Labyrinth Of Veins" is a good quality release on most parameters and a 3.5 - 4 star (70%) rating is deserved.
