An Abstract Illusion’s The Sleeping City: A Sonic Exploration
Introduction to The Sleeping City
An Abstract Illusion made headlines with their acclaimed sophomore album, Woe, in 2022. Now, three years later, the Swedish progressive death metal band has released their highly anticipated third full-length album, The Sleeping City. A band’s third record often serves as a pivotal moment in their career, presenting a chance to elevate their sound and identity. Landmark albums like Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast and Opeth’s My Arms, Your Hearse exemplify how a third release can define a band’s trajectory.
Musical Evolution: From Illuminate the Path to The Sleeping City
On their debut, Illuminate the Path, An Abstract Illusion embraced a vast soundscape, blending soaring melodies with emotional synth arpeggios reminiscent of post-rock through a progressive death metal lens. Their follow-up, Woe, took a darker turn, leaning into heavier, imposing riffs. With The Sleeping City, the band successfully merges these two approaches, crafting a graceful yet atmospheric sound that evokes the cold beauty of their northern Swedish hometown, Boden, while retaining an underlying darkness.
Refined Soundscapes
The latest album showcases a more refined atmosphere, with keyboards taking a central role in the arrangements. This addition enriches the sound and serves as a counterbalance to the guitar melodies, resulting in a dynamic listening experience.
Track Highlights and Composition
The Sleeping City stands out as An Abstract Illusion’s second major success. Each track is meticulously crafted, with no song feeling excessively lengthy, even with three tracks surpassing the ten-minute mark. The album’s opening track, “Blackmurmur,” illustrates their dynamic writing style, transitioning through various time signatures—from 5/8 to 6/8 and finally settling into 4/4. This ebb and flow persist throughout the album, seamlessly weaving moods and maintaining momentum.
Influences and Innovations
The band has pushed their sonic boundaries with The Sleeping City, drawing inspiration from diverse artists such as Depeche Mode, My Bloody Valentine, and Ólafur Arnalds. While they don’t fully embrace shoegaze or new wave, these influences surface in tracks like “Blackmurmur,” which contrasts synth-pop elements with progressive death metal foundations. “Frost Flower” features clean vocal melodies reminiscent of new wave, highlighted by a poignant guitar solo that transitions into a heartfelt keyboard passage.
Cinematic Themes and Conceptual Depth
At the heart of The Sleeping City lies a cinematic narrative, envisioned as a hypothetical soundtrack for a dystopian sci-fi film. The album retains its progressive death metal roots while infusing a sense of dramatic storytelling. The track “No Dreams Beyond Empty Horizons” exemplifies this concept with recurring leitmotifs that enhance the song’s development and narrative progression. The emotional outro evokes the atmosphere of a Blade Runner soundtrack, enriching the overall cohesion of the album.
Conclusion
Following the success of Woe was no small feat, but with The Sleeping City, An Abstract Illusion has crafted an album that not only stands on its own but may even surpass its predecessor. The expansion of their sound into new influences paves the way for future explorations, and the ambition showcased in this release positions them for continued success in the ever-evolving landscape of progressive metal.
FAQs
What genre does An Abstract Illusion’s The Sleeping City belong to?
The Sleeping City combines elements of atmospheric progressive death metal with influences from genres such as synth-pop and new wave.
How does The Sleeping City compare to An Abstract Illusion’s previous albums?
While their debut, Illuminate the Path, focused on expansive soundscapes and Woe embraced a darker tone, The Sleeping City synthesizes both styles into a more refined and cohesive album.
What are some standout tracks on The Sleeping City?
Standout tracks include “Blackmurmur,” “Frost Flower,” and “No Dreams Beyond Empty Horizons,” each showcasing the band’s dynamic composition and thematic depth.
Where can I listen to The Sleeping City?
The Sleeping City is available now via Willowtip Records.
