An Abstract Illusion, Toehider & Fallujah: 3 highlights of the week, if not the year!

When Swedish progressive death metal trio An Abstract Illusion released their debut album “Illuminate the Path” six years ago to critical acclaim, I was just starting to delve deeper into the wonders of some of the more extreme fringes of progressive metal with albums like “Shores of the Abstract Line” from France’s Hypno5e, Oceans of Slumber’s “Winter” or Persefone’s “Aathma” a year later. So I missed out on this little underground gem. But now, an avid fan and follower of all things progressive death metal, there is absolutely no way to get past their second album, “Woe”. Released through Willowtip Records, this monster of an album is clocking in at 7 seconds short of the full hour and manages to balance the fierce and the serene, the brutality and the beauty in exemplary fashion. The production is clear and full, but not too perfect and sterile, preserving that human feel that seems to get lost more and more in modern (prog) metal productions. Judging by the quality of the songs at hand, this could very well become An Abstract Illusion’s very own “Spiritual Migration”, i.e. their breakthrough and now that it’s out in the world, it’s up to the fans of the genre to lap it up and provide the recognition that they deserve. Because we’re dealing with some of the best material the genre has to offer here. Be it some relentless single note riffing like in ‘Prosperity’ or sprawling synth solos and massive organs like in the final ‘This Torment Has No End, Only New Beginnings’: this is Album of the Year material right here, no doubt about that! Woe is upon us. How wonderful, give us more! Dario

Australian multi-instrumentalist and vocal acrobat Mike Mills aka Toehider is back with new music. 47 minutes and 47 seconds of new music to be precise. “I Have Little To No Memory Of These Memories” is the name of this new mammoth of a song/album, and from the jaw-dropping a-cappella intro all the way to the last triumphant chorus (unless you’re listening to the vinyl edition where you’ll get a different, sad ending), this is as awesome and pure fun as you would have expected if you’re familiar with Toehider’s music. A roller-coaster ride through different eras and (sub-)genres of (heavy) music, there’s no piece that sounds out of place, no second that is boring and no part that overstays its welcome. Already well respected in underground circles and among Ayreon-fans, it is high time that the larger prog rock community takes notice of his genius. Don’t miss out on our Progtalks episode with Mike, to get some insights into the making of “I Have Little To No Memory Of These Memories”! Dario

Still up for some more technical/progressive death metal after consuming the masterpiece that is An Abstract Illusion’s “Woe” (see above)? Fallujah got you covered! “Empyrean” is their fifth album, and the first with new vocalist Kyle Schaefer (Archaeologist). The Californians led by shredmaster Scott Carstairs are absolute pros and deliver an album filled with 10 certified bangers. Catch them in North America on the Divine Ascension tour together with Psycroptic, Interloper & Cognitive, starting tomorrow, or later this year in Europe on the Faces of Death tour with Rivers of Nihil, Allegaeon, Inferi & Harbinger. It’s gonna be a blast! (And if you’re still craving more Tech Death, check out Warforged’s sophomore effort “The Grove | Sundial” and Revocation’s “Netherheaven”.) Dario