Into the Abyss

Some people are always right, which is sometimes scary, but also admirable. Thankfully only in dry areas like science or politics – art is a completely different case. That’s why I’m sincerely happy that Peter Tägtgren, main man of Sweden’s legendary death metal outfit HYPOCRISY and one of the most respected producers for death and black metal, was definitely wrong when by the time HYPOCRISY’s self-titled album came out he announced that “fast songs are for the young bands. They do it much better than we do.” Instead of sticking to his words and continuing HYPOCRISY on a path of refined heaviness, events between the albums made him change his mind.
One important factor is the surprising success of Tägtgren’s solo project PAIN, which ended high up in the Swedish charts. Of course PAIN’s music is not really what you would term commercial, but "refined heaviness" fits rather well. And that path leads straight into glamourous TV studios, teen magazines and talk shows – not really places that see Peter happy. Another factor is the long-awaited return of his for a time just executing musicians Mikael Edlund (bass) and Lars Szöke (drums) to songwriting duties. Especially Lars seems to be one of those persons that only come to life at a speed considered dangerous by normal persons...The result: “Hypocrisy” had two songs that one would consider fast; “Into the Abyss” is the other way round. Apart from two reminders of HYPOCRISY’s recent heaviness, everything breathes out a wildness, as if death metal just has its second coming and HYPOCRISY are young again.

But we are not talking about going back to brutal classics like “OSCULUM OBSCENUM” or “THE FOURTH DIMENSION”. The raging intensity is just a cover for innovative ideas that go way beyond death metal standards. “INTO THE ABYSS” is more than an exercise in old school stylistics. Written and recorded in just five weeks, it’s full of spontaneous interaction between three creative forces. Bizarre riffs lie twisted on top of manic drum cascades, and above all Peter’s ghastly screams and sinister growls give birth to a shadow world of horror and violence. “INTO THE ABYSS” is not what HYPOCRISY‘s fans have expected, but it’s what they should have expected. Because this band never refused any challenge, and be it one posed by themselves. So expect the unexpected, but rest assured that the result is brilliant.