Hamilton, Ontario’s death/doom outfit Absorb unleashed their latest sonic assault, Smog, on July 26 via Hypaethral Records. The EP, a follow-up to 2023’s Rot, marks a significant evolution for the band, delving deeper into atmospheric and dissonant territories while retaining their signature monolithic heaviness.
Formed in 2013, Absorb have cultivated a sound characterized by slow, crushing riffs and a suffocating atmosphere. With the addition of vocalist Erik Thorkildsen in 2022, the band’s sonic palette expanded, allowing for a more dynamic and emotionally charged expression. Decibel recently caught up with the band to discuss.
Absorb’s latest EP, Smog, seems like a significant step forward for the band. Can you elaborate on the evolution in sound and what inspired this new direction?
Aaron Barthe (drums): Absolutely! We wanted to create a more immersive and emotional experience with Smog. While the crushing riffs and heavy atmosphere remain, we delved deeper into atmospheric elements and dissonance. I’m not saying it’s a huge departure departure from what we’ve done previously, but I think our sound has grown a little bit changed.
The press release mentions themes of isolation and despair in the lyrics. How does the music reflect these themes?
Erik Thorkildsen (vocals): The entire soundscape mirrors the lyrical content. Dissonance and a chilling atmosphere create a sense of bleakness that resonates with the themes of isolation. Every detail, from songwriting to production, contributes to this immersive experience. This band just gives me like a lot of space to, like, flex ideas and work with vocabulary and stuff like that. And because everything is so spaced out timing wise that I get to really, like, syncopate my vocal delivery.
For an album with such cold themes, it’s kind of hilarious that you chose to release it during the hottest part of summer. I definitely hear a lot o black metal influence even though you’re a doom band.
Jeff Luckel (guitar): Someone else has already said a similar thing (laughs). It’s definitely influenced, even if not so much by the music, but by the bleak darkness of black metal, that sense of isolation and living rurally in a really unforgiving landscape. That vibe contributed to the record a lot.
Smog feels meticulously crafted for a record that’s also so bleak and heavy. Was there a specific intention behind the emotional impact of the music?
Barthe: There’s a lot of heavy music out there, and we wanted to stand out by creating something truly impactful. Smog aims to resonate with listeners on an emotional level, offering a unique blend of heaviness and meaning.
The press release also mentions the band is already working on new material. Can you share any details about the upcoming release?
Luckel: We’re excited to be recording by December for an early 2025 release! We’re constantly pushing ourselves to explore new sonic territories, so expect something fresh and exciting. We already have three or four songs in the works and will have more to announce and share soon.
Live performances are crucial for death/doom bands. How does Absorb approach live shows, and what can fans expect from future performances?
Luckel: Our live shows are intense and energetic. We connect with the audience and create a shared experience. With our new equipment, we aim to make the live experience even more immersive and powerful. We want the audience to feel the music physically, and we think they really will with this material.
Smog seems to be a glimpse into the band’s future direction. Anything else you want to share about what fans can expect?
Thorkildsen: We’re just getting started! We’re eager to tour and share our music with new audiences while constantly evolving and pushing boundaries. There’s so much more to come, and we’re excited to see where this path takes us.