ALBUM REVIEW: Abysmal – Thetan
There are many people, even fans within the scene, believe power-violence is, in 2019, a genre that is entirely played out. An extraordinarily dissonant and ferocious brand of hardcore punk, it typically employs minimalist song-structures and utterly punishing instrumentation, and having existed for almost 40 years (if one takes the formation of SIEGE as the birth of power-violence), there isn’t much wiggle room for experimentation. For some, the strict guidelines are part of the fun, and this is clearly part of the appeal for THETAN, who pedal no-nonsense, insultingly blunt exercises in extremity.
There is little in terms of variation, but one of the few, but key, divergences within the sound however, is the emphasis on the low-end. Some bands operate a strictly treble attack, like that of California’s premier noise merchants THE LOCUST or the early work of DAUGHTERS, aimed to pierce ear drums rather than bludgeon guts. However, some groups opt for an entirely bass-led offensive. MAN IS THE BASTARD perhaps spear-headed this movement with their duelling bass dynamic, and in their wake numerous superb bands have formed. Nashville’s THETAN are one of these such bands, and they sound positively rabid. Forming from the ashes of SANCTIONS in 2011, rather than seeking a new guitarist, they rebranded themselves and remained a solely drum and bass duo. Following a 4 year hiatus, they have returned triumphantly with Abysmal, a splendid collection of 18 songs of savage power-violence in as many minutes.
The opening moments of Alive In Hell immediately make it abundantly clear precisely what THETAN will be delivering here; if the first song alienates you, then you need not carry on, for it is almost certain that nothing beyond it will convince you. This music isn’t for everyone, and THETAN are a particularly threatening proposition. The band’s last musical output was 2015’s split with BLEED THE PIGS, and their last full-length album was Laughed At By The Gods, a storming debut released in 2014. It is clear there has not been much musical growth in this time off, but any complaint this may summon dissolves upon contact with the unforgiving grind that spills from the speakers. THETAN are on frantic form here, adopting traits from harsh-noise and power electronics in a compositional sense, making their music sound all the more perilous.
Perhaps the most striking element of this album is the vocals, which even in itself is markedly different from other albums within this field. Dan Emery, who also handles bass duties, is on vicious form, with a tone that only be described as gargling hot glass. At times his vocals can even be testing to the most road-worn fans of power-violence, but that’s part of the joy that comes from this style of music. Over the 18 minutes, one never quite adjusts to the vocal delivery, and it keeps the listener on their toes throughout. Emery’s voice also compliments through juxtaposition, as the music he ‘sings’ atop is an unforgiving dirge (in the best way possible), so his frenzied performance brings a piercing clarity to the music.
With all the best will in the world, a band like THETAN are perhaps doomed to remain an underground commodity, although we doubt this will trouble them at all. Blunt in their ferocity and no-frills in their delivery, there is very little for anyone who isn’t already versed in this music to latch onto. Abysmal is without hooks or even much in the way of discernible riffs but, again, that is part of the joy that comes with this music, and THETAN have a true knack for it. Artistically, their future is bright, just don’t hold your breath on commercial success.
Rating: 7/10
Abysmal is set for release February 1st via Anti-Corporate Music.
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