Calva Louise just released their fourth (!) record with Edge of the Abyss. And it’s pretty intense! Let’s dive in with no regrets! Review.
EDGE OF THE ABYSS – CALVA LOUISE
Standing by the edge of the abyss comes with a wave of emotions. Between determination, anxiety, the drive to overcome, and inner turmoil, Calva Louise captures that moment before the fall with Edge of the Abyss. The UK-based band holds nothing back in terms of style, energy, or identity. Quite the opposite: this new record is rich, mature, and sees the trio continuing their evolution with an ever-epic, gripping, visceral, and at times mystical sound. With a foundation equally rooted in metal and electro sounds, Calva Louise casts a spell with delicate vocals before pulling us into a raw, brutal world filled with perfectly measured guttural singing. Tunnel Vision opens the record with no mercy.
By following up with the enchanting and cathartic W.T.F., the trio turn up the pressure. Aimless then comes in as a slightly more accessible track. Yet, despite its symphonic touches, it’s every bit as hardcore as the rest! In a similar vein, Lo Que Vale continues to dilute the addictive power of Calva Louise. Whether in English or Spanish, we’re completely captivated. Impeccable is another perfect example, bursting with energy, passion, and urgency. Let’s not forget, we’re teetering on the edge throughout this album. The temptation to leap into transcendence with the band is almost irresistible.
Barely A Response keeps digging into our anxieties, and then comes The Abyss, arguably the most standout track of the lot. The dystopian soundscape it paints is absolutely spot-on! The follow-up with the electrifying El Umbral and the devastating La Corriente gives us no moment to catch our breath! And neither does Hate in Me, for that matter. There’s a need to let it all out, and only these violent riffs can do the job. Listening to the final track, Under The Skin, feels just as therapeutic. As Calva Louise reaches the end of Edge of the Abyss, you can picture them just as exhausted, but just as satisfied, as we are. Simply put, the balance of genres, emotions, and raw passion here is human, mature, and sublime. An intense experience!
