The Chasm - Farseeing the Paranormal Review

As long as we’re not concerning ourselves with song and album titles, the Chasm have made careers out of being masterful writers. Throughout their extended tenure, they’ve made a name with their expansive, tense brand of death metal. They’ve showed an uninhibited, above average knowledge of song-writing and an incendiary grasp on climaxes. But there’s always been one hurdle–the vocals. Daniel Corchado isn’t exactly Corpsegrinder. However with Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm (remember what I said about titles?), the Chasm took what some would call a risk. I call it sensible. As you’ll undoubtedly realize, Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm is largely instrumental. I’d reckon it’s somewhere close to 50% vocal-less. It’s better for it, too.

I’ll be blunt–Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm is a strong contender for death metal album of the year. And I won’t ramble; there’s very little wrong with it. Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm brings several unique elements to the proverbial table. It then goes on to smash them with a hammer and weld them into a new beast altogether. Which, conveniently enough, is how The Chasm seem to write songs. They often base entire tracks around only a couple of riffs riffs, which, given the length of some of these tracks, is a testament to their talents. A riff will often sneak in, alone, until it repeats with a bass, then drums, then another guitar. Sometimes you even get vocals. From there, the songs tend to play around within themselves; they speed up, bend and distort. This isn't to say the songs are limited to a small number of riffs (in fact it's quite the contrary), merely that they use one or two riffs as their jumping off point. I’m sure you’ll want specifics.

“Entering a Superior Dimension” spends over 8 minutes on essentially one riff and one speedy time change. It does end on a gloomy, almost diminutive note, but it’s the simple dynamic that gets us there. Throughout the tense 8 minute runtime of “Callous Spectre/Vehement Opposition” you’ll occasionally notice the semblance of keyboards. Usually you won’t. You’ll also keep expecting vocals to come in. They don’t. But the Chasm’s ability to build tracks almost exponentially by adding otherwise simple variations to singular ideas will keep you on your toes. If you’re sitting down, they’ll push you to the edge of your seat. You’re left waiting for what never comes. And in the end, the journey, however Mexican it may be, was worth it....full text 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....full text The Chasm infact is one of my favorite death metal band . yet to hear their latest release . dunno about this album but the way you have put it does sound really interesting . surely i dont mind death metal band coming out with instrumental album . but incase of the Chasm i would have a cliche .in comparision to sterotype growls lacking intensity with most of the vocalist in Death Metal bands........ here is Daniel whose growls are just impeccable,very unique ,full of emotions ,which grinds amazingly well with the music band plays .Guy doesnt even mind to experiment with black screech at times.

terming the band as death metal band would be probably inappropriate cause through out their career they had almost every element embedded in their music .Music has always been free from any sorts of void .its somekinda hysteria that band takes listeners .Songs can get really complex at times .Sheer brilliance and amazing Musicianship

But as you said half of the album is instrumental .man i bet my a.. i would have got it even if it was entirely instrumental The Chasm have been never short of those ear piercing riffs .
Music that has capabilities to blow your brains out of the skull ....full text