Unleash the Archers - "Abyss" (video)

Open my eyes in a daze
How long has it been? Am I so out of place?
Warmth I can no longer feel
My mountain is gone, I’m surrounded by steel
The strangest of structures arises ahead, seems to be held up by nothing
Where have I gone, do I dream? How can the stars be all I can see?

Dark embrace
Has someone awakened me? Please show your face
Cold and quiet space

Out so far beyond stars and the sun, filling my heart up with wonder, unknown
Now, to the edge of imagination, open my eyes to phenomenon, and hope

Feverishly I explore
Searching for someone, there has to be more
I can’t be the only one here
My path always guides me, there’s nothing to fear
Then why do I feel so immensely alone, this can’t be the end of my story
Onward I go once again, fighting my way to my final breath

Into the abyss

Summon the strength of millenniums past, forged by the fire and flame
I am the weapon of empires vast, Immortal is more than a name

Cry into the chasm ahead, into to the sky never-ending, although
Time will tell if I’m worthy of it, a future of final transcending, alone

"Abyss" τιτλοφορείται το νέο δισκογραφικό πόνημα των Unleash the Archers που θα κυκλοφορήσει στα τελειώματα του καλοκαιριού. Πρόκειται για τον πέμπτο "ολοκληρωμένο" δίσκο των Καναδών metallers, οι οποίοι δημιουργήθηκαν το 2007 και μας παρουσιάζονται κάπως έτσι:

«Vancouver, Canada based Unleash The Archers span the gap between various forms of metal, with genre-blending as their speciality, the resulting product is a potent mix of intelligent song-writing and technically versatile musicianship.

Guttural screams likened to blackened death combined with the soaring wails of a four-octave mezzo-soprano in power-metal style have created a sound unlike anything else in the industry.

By weaving the aggression of the more extreme genres into the intricacies of traditional heavy metal, this diversity has allowed Unleash The Archers the opportunity to share the stage with bands of every ilk, from folk metal to power metal to death metal and beyond.»

Όσον αφορά το νέο τους δισκογραφικό πόνημα θα κυκλοφορήσει σε cd, διπλό βινύλιο και σε μία έκδοση διπλού cd συν ένα επτάρι βινύλιο. Το πρώτο cd θα περιλαμβάνει τα δέκα τραγούδια του δίσκου συν δύο bonus, το δεύτερο τα δέκα τραγούδια του δίσκου instrumental και το επτάρι τα (bonus) μουσικά κομμάτια "Abysswave" - "Soulcoustic".

Το εξώφυλλο (Κι όλο το artwork) επιμελήθηκε ο Adam Burke, ο οποίος έχει φιλοτεχνήσει εξώφυλλα δίσκων από μπάντες όπως οι: Angel Witch ("Angel of Light"), Eternal Champion ("The Armor of Ire"), Black Sites ("Exile"), Idle Hands ("Mana"), Lady Beast ("The Vulture's Amulet"), Lunar Shadow ("The Smokeless Fires"), Pagan Altar ("The Room of Shadows"), Professor Emeritus ("Take Me to the Gallows") κλπ.

Brittney Slayes (says about "Abyss"): «This track set the tone for the whole record; conceptually, lyrically, musically, it all started here. Andy came up with the opening riff back when we were writing Apex, but I knew right away it didn't belong on that record.

When we finally started writing Abyss in 2019, this was the first song we wrote and it was the first song I listened to when the record was done. It symbolizes five years of hard work for us, and I think it does a great job of putting the listener in the right place emotionally to start the record. It hints at what the rest of the album is all about, but also doesn't give it all away, not by a long shot!»

Band: Unleash the Archers
Country of origin: Canada
Location: Vancouver/Victoria
Formed in: 2007
Genre: Power Metal
Lyrical themes: Myth, Legend, Battle
Years active: 2007-present

Video: "Abyss"
Album: "Abyss"
Type: Full length
Release date: August 21st, 2020
Label: Napalm Records
Format: CD, 2 12" vinyls, 2CD + 7" vinyl

Track listing:
01. Waking Dream
02. Abyss
03. Through Stars
04. Legacy
05. Return to Me
06. Soulbound
07. Faster than Light
08. The Wind That Shapes the Land
09. Carry the Flame
10. Afterlife

Band members:
Scott Buchanan - Drums
Brittney Slayes - Vocals
Grant Truesdell - Guitars, Vocals
Andrew Saunders - Guitars, Vocals

Guest/Session:
Francesco Ferrini - Orchestration (track 10)
Andrew Saunders - Vocals (additional)

Miscellaneous staff:
Adam Burke - Artwork
Jacob Hansen - Engineering, Mixing, Mastering
Andrew Saunders - Producer