FARSEEING THE PARANORMAL ABYSM

2009 LUX INFRAMUNDIS

It's been quite a while since THE CHASM released The Spell of Retribution, and this new album has been a long time coming. You may have already noticed that the band is no longer signed to Earache Records. I for one think this is for the best. Earache didn't really do much to give THE CHASM the crucial push they could have used. I don't believe that the label truly understood the band, their music, or their motivations. One listen to Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm will instantly make you realize that Earache (and for that matter, any of the bigger metal labels out there) would have had no idea how to approach this album. Simply put, and as cliche and trite as it may sound... this is not music for the masses. This is not for the trendies or for those who only follow bands who are regulars on the tour circuit. Even amongst those who have been fans of THE CHASM in the past, there may well be those who will fall by the wayside with this release. THE CHASM have ever walked their own path, not caring about what the rest of the scene is doing. As a result, their style of death metal does not conform to any so-called "rules," nor does it adhere to many of metal's normal "conventions." These warriors write their own rules, and that's damn obvious right from the opening of "Entering a Superior Dimension." On the last few albums from THE CHASM, we were treated to instrumental "intro" tracks that served to set the mood of what was to come. Not so here. Instead, the band just get right to it. As I listened to all eight songs, one work continually came to mind: obscure. Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm is not the kind of album that one is going to instantly understand. The material here is not straightforward in any way. The same holds true for all of their albums, but this time THE CHASM have pushed things even further. The songs here do not resemble those of the past, and they present a challenging and formidable listen... the kind of thing that may well turn off some of their fans. Even more confounding to some will be the fact that half of these songs are instrumentals. If that doesn't go against the grain of what is usually expected of a metal band, then I don't know what does. The lyrics are still of the occult journey through the inner mind variety. The cover art might indicate that this could change though. Instead of invoking a great mystic temple or symbol of an ancient forgotten god, we instead stand above an abyss obscured by swirling clouds. Perhaps this signifies a change that the outer realms will be next to be explored. But for now, we contemplate our thoughts and inner beings before starting yet another journey. From here, only the strongest and bravest will continue.