Reviews
Wombbath – Beyond the Abyss (2025)
Swedish death metal veterans Wombbath are back with Beyond the Abyss, a record that stands as a testament to their old-school brutality while showcasing a refined, modern edge. With their legacy tied to the murky depths of early ’90s death metal, Wombbath have never shied away from the raw, unfiltered sound that made them underground legends. But does Beyond the Abyss merely rehash the past, or does it carve its own path into the crypt?
Swedish death metal veterans Wombbath are back with Beyond the Abyss, a record that stands as a testament to their old-school brutality while showcasing a refined, modern edge. With their legacy tied to the murky depths of early ’90s death metal, Wombbath have never shied away from the raw, unfiltered sound that made them underground legends. But does Beyond the Abyss merely rehash the past, or does it carve its own path into the crypt?
The Sound of Rot and Fury
From the first note, Beyond the Abyss crushes with a cavernous, buzzsaw guitar tone that Swedeath diehards will instantly recognize. The HM-2 grind is thick, churning through a mix of fast tremolo riffs, doom-laden sections, and groove-driven moments that add weight to the relentless assault. Håkan Stuvemark’s guitar work remains razor-sharp, delivering both melody and pure sonic destruction in equal measure. Meanwhile, the drumming is absolutely ferocious, shifting from pummeling blasts to mid-tempo stomps that feel like marching through a graveyard of past victims.
The vocal performance on this record is a highlight. Jonny Pettersson delivers a guttural, commanding growl that sounds like it’s crawling out from beneath the earth itself. His vocals add an extra layer of filth to the already putrid mix, and when paired with the eerie, melodic leads scattered throughout the record, it creates an atmosphere that is both oppressive and strangely hypnotic.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Where Beyond the Abyss shines is in its ability to balance its old-school aesthetic with moments of melody and groove that prevent it from feeling like a tired retread. Tracks like “Abyssal Rites” and “As Silent as the Grave” bring in melancholic leads reminiscent of early At the Gates or Edge of Sanity, giving the album a dynamic quality that keeps it from being a one-dimensional onslaught.
However, while the album does a lot right, it doesn’t entirely escape the feeling of familiarity. Wombbath are masters of their craft, but they aren’t exactly reinventing the genre here. If you’ve been following the recent wave of old-school death metal revivalists like Gatecreeper or Frozen Soul, you might feel that Beyond the Abyss sticks too closely to the formula at times. Still, the sheer intensity and atmosphere make it a worthy entry into the band’s discography.
Verdict
Beyond the Abyss is a solid slab of Swedish death metal, delivering exactly what you’d expect—no more, no less. Fans of the band and the genre will find plenty to love here, from the crushing riffs to the ghastly atmosphere, but if you’re looking for something groundbreaking, this won’t be the album to change your world. That said, when Wombbath hit their stride, they remind us why they’re still standing in a genre filled with imitators.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5/6 stars)
Wombbath continue to prove that old-school death metal is alive, festering, and still as vicious as ever.