Review by Benjamin on April 28, 2022.

It’s not often a dedicated seeker of extreme sounds comes across new music that truly sounds different from anything else currently being released, but the debut album by US quartet Abhorrent Expanse is one such example. A glance at the artwork suggests that our expectations will be met by a slew of relatively conventional death metal, but it takes mere seconds of the noisy drone that greets us at the outset of the first track to disabuse the listener of this naïve notion. This is because Abhorrent Expanse are that rarest of beasts, a truly improvisational extreme metal band, and Gateways To Resplendence captures the frankly terrifying output of a group of astonishingly competent musicians, as adept at building screeds of ambient noise and drone as they are at churning out roiling, dissonant death metal riffs. Somewhere between Ephel Duath, Krallice, and Gnaw Their Tongues, Gateways To Resplendence is what Imperial Triumphant have been heading towards for a couple of albums now, but have lacked the courage to truly throw themselves into, always pulling back into something comparatively accessible at the point at which they threaten to lose the shackles altogether. That is not intended to be a criticism of the superb New York jazz-metallers, but more an indication of just how out-there Abhorrent Expanse are, heading into far-flung solar systems, while their peers are comfortable within the confines of the Milky Way. 

Despite the fact that each song is basically an avant-garde noise jam, it is not without structure entirely, and the way in which memorable sections of music occasionally emerge from the cacophony as they do periodically on second track ‘Annihilation Operators’ makes the album thrillingly unpredictable, but immensely listenable despite the maelstrom of coruscating sounds. Inevitably, some tracks lapse a little into Captain Beefheart-style tomfoolery, and your own experience of the album is likely to be defined by your tolerance for atonal and arhythmic noodling, but almost by definition, it is impossible for an album such as this to captivate at all times. The nature of improvisation means that the output will inevitably be somewhat inconsistent, but Abhorrent Expanse miraculously manage to send their arrows into the bullseye much more frequently than they send them flying harmlessly beyond the target. In fact, the vast majority of the album is bizarrely addictive, despite the lack of repetition and almost total absence of conventional melody, and that is quite the achievement. It is possible to imagine the band appealing to fans of Sunn O))), or Earth, even if they don’t slow down to quite the stultifying tempo of those bands, for they capture the same spirit of sonic adventure, even if the payload is delivered in a way that relies less on brute force and volume, save the lengthy and apocalyptic closer, the splendidly titled ‘Arcturian Nano Diamonds From The Tranquil Abyss’. Abhorrent Expanse tend to favour skittering snare hits, and broken arpeggios over screaming feedback, at least when not locked into punishing death metal, but they achieve the same level of psychedelic immersion as those drone masters, as well as considerably more tonal and textural variation. Gateways To Resplendence will not be for everyone, but those that they do connect with will likely find the connection unbreakable and endlessly rewarding. 

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Benjamin on April 28, 2022.

It’s not often a dedicated seeker of extreme sounds comes across new music that truly sounds different from anything else currently being released, but the debut album by US quartet Abhorrent Expanse is one such example. A glance at the artwork suggests that our expectations will be met by a slew of relatively conventional death metal, but it takes mere seconds of the noisy drone that greets us at the outset of the first track to disabuse the listener of this naïve notion. This is because Abhorrent Expanse are that rarest of beasts, a truly improvisational extreme metal band, and Gateways To Resplendence captures the frankly terrifying output of a group of astonishingly competent musicians, as adept at building screeds of ambient noise and drone as they are at churning out roiling, dissonant death metal riffs. Somewhere between Ephel Duath, Krallice, and Gnaw Their Tongues, Gateways To Resplendence is what Imperial Triumphant have been heading towards for a couple of albums now, but have lacked the courage to truly throw themselves into, always pulling back into something comparatively accessible at the point at which they threaten to lose the shackles altogether. That is not intended to be a criticism of the superb New York jazz-metallers, but more an indication of just how out-there Abhorrent Expanse are, heading into far-flung solar systems, while their peers are comfortable within the confines of the Milky Way. 

Despite the fact that each song is basically an avant-garde noise jam, it is not without structure entirely, and the way in which memorable sections of music occasionally emerge from the cacophony as they do periodically on second track ‘Annihilation Operators’ makes the album thrillingly unpredictable, but immensely listenable despite the maelstrom of coruscating sounds. Inevitably, some tracks lapse a little into Captain Beefheart-style tomfoolery, and your own experience of the album is likely to be defined by your tolerance for atonal and arhythmic noodling, but almost by definition, it is impossible for an album such as this to captivate at all times. The nature of improvisation means that the output will inevitably be somewhat inconsistent, but Abhorrent Expanse miraculously manage to send their arrows into the bullseye much more frequently than they send them flying harmlessly beyond the target. In fact, the vast majority of the album is bizarrely addictive, despite the lack of repetition and almost total absence of conventional melody, and that is quite the achievement. It is possible to imagine the band appealing to fans of Sunn O))), or Earth, even if they don’t slow down to quite the stultifying tempo of those bands, for they capture the same spirit of sonic adventure, even if the payload is delivered in a way that relies less on brute force and volume, save the lengthy and apocalyptic closer, the splendidly titled ‘Arcturian Nano Diamonds From The Tranquil Abyss’. Abhorrent Expanse tend to favour skittering snare hits, and broken arpeggios over screaming feedback, at least when not locked into punishing death metal, but they achieve the same level of psychedelic immersion as those drone masters, as well as considerably more tonal and textural variation. Gateways To Resplendence will not be for everyone, but those that they do connect with will likely find the connection unbreakable and endlessly rewarding. 

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Arek on July 18, 2015.

Here's another side of Polish technical death metal style originated in Krakow. The material for Rise To Conquer dates back to 2008. After the recording and mixing in IX Studio it had to mellow out for 4 years to see the light of the day, but just as with good wine, the flavor remained intact. This album however, has one serious drawback – it awakens the desire but gives no hope. The band broke up in 2008, and members moved off into the world so chances of reactivation are slim but as the wise man once said "hope dies last".

The album gained all tangible dimensions through GuitarManic Records, and if it comes to the apocalyptic cover art none other than fellow Michal "Xaay" Loranc is held responsible. 11 songs on the album treat us with about 43 minutes of technical death metal. Authors and creators are: Peter Dzik and Jacek Brzozowski-vocals, Konrad Rossa and Daniel Kesler-guitars., Dawid Rutkowski-bass, Adam Pieczarkowski-drums. "State Of Mental War" music was created by Mateusz Niedzwiecki, as for the rest Michal "VX" Kopeć – added all keys & synth, and Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka-added solo in "In The Ashes Shall Be Seen”

Dark "Intro" fitting the atmosphere of the cover opens this Opus Magnum. The title song "Rise To Conquer" sizzles with energy. It kinda reminds me of earlier works by Decapitated, but solos by Konrad and Daniel are making all the difference. "Sulphur Taste" is a death metal crusher. That one is a piece of work that’s twisted to the max, full of tempo changes and going from grind-based thumpers to atmospheric depressions. "Syndrome 52'" slows things down a bit to bring a little breather. "Neurasthenic" begins with the medium pace roll and goes into death metal thumping but the solo in the middle of the song is a veritable Redemptor poetry, and I suspect it’s Daniel’s work. "State Of Mental War" is war march concluded in medium pace, then acceleration occurs in "Nec Mortale Sonans" and goes through "Screaming Source Of ..." and "Designed By Distortion". Apogee of death metal destruction occurs in “In The Ashes Shall ... “ It's probably my favorite piece. Vogg enriched this one with his solo and hats off to him for that! After forty minute carnage "Outro" brings a rest in agony.

I suppose Sothoth’s delivery of death metal is not world changing, but how poorer it would have been if the album stayed where it was at those 4 years. I can totally recommend this item for fans of Decapitated, Gorguts, Necropsy, etc. A round of applause for the performance and thanks for the inner strength that has made me enjoy the sounds of Rise To Conquer.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Arek on July 18, 2015.

Here's another side of Polish technical death metal style originated in Krakow. The material for Rise To Conquer dates back to 2008. After the recording and mixing in IX Studio it had to mellow out for 4 years to see the light of the day, but just as with good wine, the flavor remained intact. This album however, has one serious drawback – it awakens the desire but gives no hope. The band broke up in 2008, and members moved off into the world so chances of reactivation are slim but as the wise man once said "hope dies last".

The album gained all tangible dimensions through GuitarManic Records, and if it comes to the apocalyptic cover art none other than fellow Michal "Xaay" Loranc is held responsible. 11 songs on the album treat us with about 43 minutes of technical death metal. Authors and creators are: Peter Dzik and Jacek Brzozowski-vocals, Konrad Rossa and Daniel Kesler-guitars., Dawid Rutkowski-bass, Adam Pieczarkowski-drums. "State Of Mental War" music was created by Mateusz Niedzwiecki, as for the rest Michal "VX" Kopeć – added all keys & synth, and Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka-added solo in "In The Ashes Shall Be Seen”

Dark "Intro" fitting the atmosphere of the cover opens this Opus Magnum. The title song "Rise To Conquer" sizzles with energy. It kinda reminds me of earlier works by Decapitated, but solos by Konrad and Daniel are making all the difference. "Sulphur Taste" is a death metal crusher. That one is a piece of work that’s twisted to the max, full of tempo changes and going from grind-based thumpers to atmospheric depressions. "Syndrome 52'" slows things down a bit to bring a little breather. "Neurasthenic" begins with the medium pace roll and goes into death metal thumping but the solo in the middle of the song is a veritable Redemptor poetry, and I suspect it’s Daniel’s work. "State Of Mental War" is war march concluded in medium pace, then acceleration occurs in "Nec Mortale Sonans" and goes through "Screaming Source Of ..." and "Designed By Distortion". Apogee of death metal destruction occurs in “In The Ashes Shall ... “ It's probably my favorite piece. Vogg enriched this one with his solo and hats off to him for that! After forty minute carnage "Outro" brings a rest in agony.

I suppose Sothoth’s delivery of death metal is not world changing, but how poorer it would have been if the album stayed where it was at those 4 years. I can totally recommend this item for fans of Decapitated, Gorguts, Necropsy, etc. A round of applause for the performance and thanks for the inner strength that has made me enjoy the sounds of Rise To Conquer.

Rating: 8 out of 10