Portuguese darksters Heavenwood's fourth album, 'Abyss Masterpiece', is quite boldly titled, eh?! Earlier being a totally unknown band to me, this one was released by bigger label Listenable Records. Anyway, their previous album 'Redemption' (2008) came out ten years after its predecessor. There must be some kind of change(s) in the band's sound during all these years, I presume.

First of all, this album is diverse. One interconnecting factor between the songs is their catchiness. Compositions-wise, they aren't adventurous at all, despite of some unexpected parts here and there. This fact, however, isn't a big minus at all, since the band's comprehension for melody is good. They also utilize rock or pop arrangements, which remind of end of 90's Paradise Lost (songs 'Morning Glory Clouds...', 'Winter Slave' and 'Sudden Scars') and Sisters Of Mercy (definitely 'September Blood'), but the most "pop" song on the album, 'Like Yesterday', is simply a stunner, because the band have actually managed to pack in some real emotions in it! There's some Type O Negative in it, but also something like Suburban Tribe (maybe it's the vocals...). The orchestrations are between lush and subtle. They really do not offer anything new, being typical horror ('The Arcadia Order') and Mid-Eastern type (on 'Sudden Scars' they are just too Therion-esque), or just "mat". Orchestral-only outro 'Her Lament' is totally pointless, as it sounds like the band wanted to use it just somewhere, anywhere.

The metal side of Heavenwood is a mixture of established bands' styles. More extreme parts, which are clearly a minority, could be Septic Flesh influenced. Echoes of Paradise Lost's metal half are quite rife in Heavenwood's sound, too. Otherwise it is just a tad too generic alloy of goth metal. Despite all the familiarity of Heavenwood's music, it is still well composed material in its field and a joy to listen to, for a big part, but only if you can stand gothic metal.

There are a lot of different vocals styles, too. From a variety of beastly growls to Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost) style clean vocals, plus of course Ville Tuomi's (Suburban Tribe), or pretty close at least, style on 'Like Yesterday'. All kinds of spoken things are used befittingly. The female/male duet on 'Leonor' didn't come as a surprise, let me tell you. The lyrics are all based on Portuguese female poet D. Leonor a.k.a. Marquesa de Alorna's poems, and are about fight between good (human spirit) and evil (love). The drumming is great to listen to, as at times the drummer throws some extra in, and his double kick drumming with cymbals beats are lethal. Also the guitar-work is colourful throughout the album, especially the lead guitar playing, and the riff-writing is sharp. Soundwise this is modern, but well far from being plastic. It's still rock music, after all.

Heavenwood cannot be blamed for being adventurous. This works against them, but at least they can write a good song. Or ten of them. Still, I expect the album's glare to begin to fade after a while, just because of the simplistic compositions. 'Abyss Masterpiece' contains several gems: Heavy and dark 'Goddess Presiding over Solitude', 'Poem for Matilde and 'Fading Sun' which both contain hellishly good melodies, poppish 'Like Yesterday', and why not 'Winter Slave' too. However, recommended only for those, who are omnivorous with gothic metal.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/02/2011 19:21