Beyond stoked for this after how fucking great Apex was.

Hype is strong with this one. The cover art looks ugly, though.

Great album! nice riffs and the vocals are strong as ever

I'm really enjoying this so far. They had a lot to live up to after Apex, but this is a really good way to follow it up.

This is how I wish Kobra and the lotus would sound, seems band plays metal not pop sound as that band. well I like boat, what best, i dunno.

My advice is to listen to this one twice, it gets better on the second listen. The first time I listened to it, I found the second half to be much stronger than the first, something pretty rare in albums. Then I listened to it again and found that the first half had grown on me. Overall I'd put it right up there with Apex.

This album is absolutely brilliant. They took many chances/risks on this album and I feel it paid off.

The guitar work as just as impressive as ever with an even more thought towards melodies.

The synth gives a nice added atmosphere without getting in the way, just a nice layer underneath the band.

And Brittney....... This is the best she has ever sounded. She is one of the best current performing metal singers without question. The Wind That Shapes The Land really shows off her full vocal range.

There isn't a song off this album I dislike, some are simply better than others. My top 3 are "Through Stars", "Return to Me" and the aforementioned "The Wind That Shapes The Land". Also, gotta give an honorable mention to the song "Legacy" for being totally different than anything UTA has wrote previously, such a unique song.

After few spins I'm starting to feel little disappointed with this album. Sure, it's technical and well played, but feels so lifeless and way too happy to me. Maybe it's just me, but the synth overshadows the guitars too much at times.

Written by Metal Diogenes on 22.08.2020 at 13:49

After few spins I'm starting to feel little disappointed with this album. Sure, it's technical and well played, but feels so lifeless and way too happy to me. Maybe it's just me, but the synth overshadows the guitars too much at times.

I have same, seems its one time spin then wait, you can listen wholem disco in same day here.

It's a great record, but not quite living up to Apex for me. Definitely still their second best record though. I'm hoping it grows on me more. Time will tell.

I watched the album release concert last night and was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't sure how well this album would translate into a live performance, particularly with no audience and streamed online - but it sounded great. Obviously not quite the same atmosphere as a live gig, but at least I didn't have to drunkenly figure out where my hotel was afterwards.

The three dorks who rated this album a 1 Star are freaking trolls. Even if this album isn't your cup of tea a rating of 1 is just dumb.

You give a 1 to an album with absolutely terrible production, terrible musicianship and terrible song structure. None of these things are problem on Abyss.

These guys are objectively talented and even if you don't particularly like any of the songs on Abyss, they are still well structured, so again to give this album a 1 is just trollish.

I honestly wished there was a mandatory "Explain your rating" for a 1 Star. Those scores just artificially lower album ratings that in no way could be justified other than some people being jerks.

EDIT: Looks like this same troll also gave 1 star to their other albums as all their scores dropped at the same time. Lame

After a few more spins, I can confirm that this record is definitely a grower. It's not explosive as Apex, but the songs on it are fantastic nonetheless. Definitely a contender for my AOTY.

Also, I can't be the only one who thinks the first part of 'Legacy' sounds like Deafheaven lol.

Written by ickoriss on 25.08.2020 at 18:20

After a few more spins, I can confirm that this record is definitely a grower. It's not explosive as Apex, but the songs on it are fantastic nonetheless. Definitely a contender for my AOTY.

Also, I can't be the only one who thinks the first part of 'Legacy' sounds like Deafheaven lol.

Andrew said that Legacy is his take on a Devin Townsend/Deafheaven song.

Soaring fast paced melodies throughout the album. Listening to Unleash the Archers for the first time and I have to admit that lady can sing. Waking Dream, Legacy, The wind that shapes the land, will have to be my favourites.

Written by SegaSnatcher on 25.08.2020 at 21:33

Written by ickoriss on 25.08.2020 at 18:20

After a few more spins, I can confirm that this record is definitely a grower. It's not explosive as Apex, but the songs on it are fantastic nonetheless. Definitely a contender for my AOTY.

Also, I can't be the only one who thinks the first part of 'Legacy' sounds like Deafheaven lol.

Andrew said that Legacy is his take on a Devin Townsend/Deafheaven song.

That makes total sense. Thanks for the context!

Written by jawharessence on 29.08.2020 at 12:02

You would think that after Apex, their only solid album, they would actually blow up.
But no. They've proceeded to make an album bordering on pop and radio-friendly releases. Even Brittney's vocals here aren't as soaring as they were on Apex. Such a shame.
I don't understand what the 9's here are all about.

I can't speak for the other 9 ratings, but the reason I gave it a 9 is because of what I consider great production, amazing musicianship and most importantly well crafted songs.

It sounds like you just wanted Apex 2.0 which while I'm sure would have been great in its own right, but it would also be kinda boring to just do the same thing again.

Brittney has never sounded better. Her vocal performance on The Wind That Shapes The Land is by far her best vocal performance on an album, it really shows off her full range.

Lastly, Apex was not their only solid album. Time Stands Still was great and Demons of the Astrowaste was really good too.

Strong album but not as good as apex

Loved this one. Very nice musicianship. And so sad to read on the comments so many unnecessary prejudices about music

Sounds like a mix of Temperance and Kobra And The Lotus. Bit of Shadowside, too.

Written by SegaSnatcher on 25.08.2020 at 00:36

The three dorks who rated this album a 1 Star are freaking trolls. Even if this album isn't your cup of tea a rating of 1 is just dumb.

You give a 1 to an album with absolutely terrible production, terrible musicianship and terrible song structure. None of these things are problem on Abyss.

These guys are objectively talented and even if you don't particularly like any of the songs on Abyss, they are still well structured, so again to give this album a 1 is just trollish.

I honestly wished there was a mandatory "Explain your rating" for a 1 Star. Those scores just artificially lower album ratings that in no way could be justified other than some people being jerks.

EDIT: Looks like this same troll also gave 1 star to their other albums as all their scores dropped at the same time. Lame

If that is the case then there should be an "Explain your rating" for 10 stars as well. Those should be once in a blue moon type albums that either broke new ground or were completely flawless on all levels from start to finish.

With exemptions of very few bands, I am not a fan of the genre and hence I am not able to find any speciality with this album compared to some other power metal albums of the year. But , of course, give credit to her vocals which are outstanding and the production is excellent. Rest seems average to me.