Formed in 2012 in Salem, Oregon, Abiosis are a progressive brutal death metal band that draw on influences such as Deeds of Flesh, Decapitated and Origin. Having released their debut album Revelations of Macabre in 2018, Abiosis spent much of the last year preparing their recently released second album Hollowing The Mortal Form.
From the very first note, Abiosis (which means the absence of life or a non-viable state) aim to capture the raw and visceral intensity of the genre. Opening track, Tomb of Torture is a harrowing exploration of human cruelty and the nihilistic despair that permeates existence. The song’s imagery is graphic and brutal, reflecting the band’s thematic focus on the inherent violence and domination within human nature. Bathing in your fear! / Bleed in the dirt / Shake in my frozen absence / Breathe in the rot / Plead for your righteous quest to be god of the weak! / Drown in the fear of endless torture / Eat through your lies / Know that you're only here to suffer. There is a ferocious precision to the guitars, creating a wall of sound that is both intricate and punishing.
Second track, Age of the Worm, continues in a similar vein delving in themes of corruption, degradation and the cyclical nature of suffering. Throughout the album the lyrics are intensely graphic – in this instance, portraying a world where innocence is torn apart and replaced with debauchery. In the band’s words, “ Hollowing the Mortal Form focuses on the nihilistic inevitable doom we all face and potential meaninglessness… and in contrast, the horrendous ways human beings treat each other regardless of if there's something to be gained or not.”
Malodorous Decay, a slightly longer track, encapsulates the essence of the album in its unrelenting assault. Initially, it seems the track might operate at a slower tempo but it soon accelerates and becomes a cacophony of blast beats and pummelling riffs. Drummer Brandon Self’s rapid-fire double bass and inventive fills create a foundation that is both chaotic and thoughtfully structured. Gut-wrenching and vivid in its exploration of decay, both physical and existential, the lyrics suggest a world where even the Earth itself is exhausted and consumed by the rot. Depleted terra firma / Talons of vultures stabbing into our flesh! / Tearing away all whom lay / Vulnerable regurgitating remnants of what's left of the soul forced to suffer.
After the raw and unfiltered brutality of the opening three tracks, instrumental Mourn comes as something of a surprise. Almost ambient in nature, gently picked guitars circle while a distant static adds to the sense of uneasy expectation. Its musical motif comes to the fore as the title track begins – an initially brooding instrumental that quickens with heart-pounding arpeggios, bursting fully into life via the guitars of Jake Mattison (who also contributes vocals) and Colby Rasmussen - a fourth member of the band during the recording of the album. Hollowing The Mortal Form is amongst the most technical tracks on the album and the omission of vocals allows the listener the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the band’s instrumentation. Serving as a dividing line between the two halves of the album, the duo of instrumentals reflect another side to Abiosis - one that is welcome, given the merciless onslaught at the start of the album.
Forbid the Flesh and A Trance of Everlasting Mortification return us to the primal aspects of Tomb of Torture but with the former adopting, at times, a more groove laden approach and the latter, simultaneously sinewy and muscular. Here, as throughout the album, the vocals are guttural and harrowing, each growl and roar emerging from the depths of the throat, mirroring the album’s themes of decay and despair with their distillation of anguish and rage at the world. As the last notes of A Trance of Everlasting Mortification fade away, winds howl and thunder crashes and we meld into the colossal riffs of short linking track Re-breeding The Mental Dominus. Like the soundtrack for a rampaging, destructive ogre, the percussion rumbles with every step, until the creature retreats and we are left with torrential rain that aims to cleanse a putrid environment.
During final track, Abhorrent Dissemination, Logan Williams (who is also responsible for some of the vocals) attacks his bass with a vehement contempt as the lyrical protagonist’s mind is consumed by hatred and a desire for the destruction of mankind. In disdain for the perceived futility of human existence and contemplating purging the rot within society themselves, the lyrics also examine the idea of humanity as slaves to deception, with wills crushed and souls torn apart. Delivering a savage conclusion to the album with consistently unadulterated violence and viciousness, Abiosis will leave fans of the album wanting more.
Hollowing The Mortal Form will appeal to fans of the most brutal of death metal. Nevertheless, there is enough of the progressive and sometimes technical, about their approach to entice fans that engage with bands which pay attention to song structure and dynamics without sacrificing uncompromising severity. Lyrically, there are many places on the album that are violent, torturous and sickening and listeners should consider their ability to stomach such visceral images. However, within the realms of brutal death metal, there are many bands that employ such words and without doubt, Abiosis have succeeded in lyrically portraying their nihilistic, disillusioned views on humanity. Already working on their third album, Abiosis will ensnare many new followers with this offering. Musically they draw from old school death metal, balancing this with modern – but not glossy – production values, together with some complex riffs and rhythms that push the boundaries of the genre while honouring its brutal roots. Dive into the decay…
Buy the physical album here: https://brutal-mind.com/product/pre-order-cd-abiosis-hollowing-the-mortal-form/
Stream the album below.