Distances are a post-metal band from the US and this is their fifth album, (assuming you count 2016’s covers album Rip Offs).
Eagerly awaited after 2018’s hugely impressive Diableries, which rightfully made it into the top 3 of my album of the year list for that year, its follow up is finally here. Abstruse contains 41 minutes of new material, and finds the band altered, but full of fire and creative passion.
Things have not remained static on the world of Distances since we last met them though. At first glance, Abstruse is much shorter than Diableries, and the corresponding individual song lengths follow this downwards trend too. Also, the band’s lineup has changed; now a three piece, with a different bassist and without a violinist, how have these changes impacted upon the Distances sound?
Essentially the band have refined their songwriting into more concise creations, and they have generally ramped up the aggression and intensity, while still imbuing their music with affecting atmosphere. The violin may have left the building, but the band have compensated through the other atmospheric tools in their sonic toolbox, as well as really stepping up the brutality and crushing heaviness in places. Of the latter, Distance’s hardcore, metal, and sludge influences have come more to the fore, and there are some blackened elements that can be felt here and there that are most welcome. All of this is delivered under the permissive aegis of post-metal, with all of the scope and freedom to range broadly that’s provided by the style. As mentioned, Abstruse is a more aggressive release than Diableries, (which itself was hardly a stranger to aggression), but that doesn’t mean that Distances have relinquished their multifaceted nature. Abstruse is a well-rounded and well-realised construct, just manifesting in a different manner.
So, Abstruse specialises in a hostile form of post-metal. It’s broadly similar in style to the heavier aspects of acts like Cult of Luna, Isis, Russian Circles, and Rosetta, although Distances succeed in building a personality of their own around this foundational framework. This framework also includes other stylistic reference points I’ll note such as Inter Arma, Botch, The Lion’s Daughter, and Conjurer, for example. Overall it is a layered and textured album, using its massive heaviness to good effect, while also benefiting from the use of synths, piano, and the occasional use of resplendent melodies that are drenched in emotion.
The album traverses a range of speeds, paces, moods, and feelings. From introspective fragility through to serrated blast beats and the many crushing riffs, Distances rage and tear through the album’s duration, while also making time for nuance and subtlety. This blending of two typically disparate worlds is a calling card of both Distances and post-metal in general, and Abstruse exemplifies this well.
Finally I’ll just mention the vocals, which are harsher and nastier than ever. Complementing the music’s aggression well, the vocal performances drip with venom and bellicose roars.
A blend of crushing heaviness and atmospheric depth, Abstruse is worthy successor to Diableries. It’s hard to compare the two as I obviously know its predecessor better at this point, but Abstruse has still been worth the wait.
Essential listening, so make sure that you don’t miss out on this gem.