“Abyss” Music Video
###
“Abyss” (single) named one of Loudwire’s “20 Best Metal Songs of 2020 (So Far)”
“Abyss is quickly becoming one of my favorites of 2020.”
– Vince Neilstein, MetalSucks
“Like a great entry in a film franchise, [Abyss] ups the ante on its predecessor’s ideas without sacrificing its core appeal.”
– Decibel Magazine
“Canada’s finest must now be regarded as among the power metal elite. Abyss will swallow you up.”
– Blabbermouth
“UNLEASH THE ARCHERS are an underrated gem in modern metal. Abyss should be the album that solidifies them as a household name…”
– Metal Injection
“…Abyss is a mandatory listen for power metal obsesses and curious newcomers alike…
truly spectacular metal…”
– Bandcamp
Thematically, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS’ new album Abyss is the direct sequel to the band’s 2017 album Apex. Beginning with a dreamlike acoustic introduction accented by the smoky beckonings of singer Brittney Slayes, opener “Waking Dream” quickly punches into a colossal wall of sound, setting the stage for the auditory escape that is Abyss. Powerful anthems such as the immense power metal-encapsulated title track “Abyss” and metallic pop-tinged earworm “Through Stars” conjure classic elements while maintaining an entirely fresh, forward-thinking approach. Guitarists Andrew Kingsley and Grant Truesdell turn heads with wicked work on stellar tracks such as “Legacy” (fans of artists like Devin Townsend and Astronoid, take note), while Slayes showcases her incredible vocal diversity and range on mighty epics like “Return To Me” and “The Wind That Shapes The Land”. Drummer Scott Buchanan makes technical strides on burners “Soulbound” and “Faster Than Light” – setting breakneck twists and turns ablaze with his bandmates. UNLEASH THE ARCHERS rounds the edge of Abyss with throwback-hued “Carry The Flame”, and wraps up with the soaring, rewarding concept closer “Afterlife”.
Abyss was once again engineered, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios in Denmark (Volbeat, Delain, Amaranthe), with production by guitarist Andrew Kingsley. Additionally, transcendent closer track “Afterlife” features orchestration contributions from Francesco Ferrini of Italian symphonic death metal machine Fleshgod Apocalypse. Fans will notice that, unlike on Apex, Abyss incorporates a weighty dose of synth in the mix, and for the first time ever, all tracks were written on seven strings – adding to the massive expanse of the album’s sound as it explores the celestial realm.
