I had not heard a huge amount about Dublin’s Death Metal dealers, Abyssery. The ever-reliable Metal Archives lists a familiar name, though. Drummer James Stewart (Ex-Vader, Decapitated) provides the engine room. That is enough to get the attention, for the human powerhouse is something every band surely wants as that reliable anchor.
Abyssery – Interminable End
Release Date: 25 July 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
However, further investigation reveals that Abyssery is the solo project of guitarist and composer Brian Doherty, who is the instigator and the brains behind the unit. Alongside Stewart, whose drumming is exceptional, another Decapitated icon, Rafał ‘Rasta’ Piotrowski, also guests. 
Unsurprisingly, given its title, this is no voyage through meadows and flower-filled valleys. Instead, Abyssery take us deep into a concept release, which descends into torment, control and cosmic despair.
Described as a personal response to an increasingly hostile world, throwing the central character into a metaphysical hellscape, where even death offers no release.
“This is a record born of obsession,” says Doherty. “It’s a purge of everything that’s been building internally for years, a love letter to Death Metal as both catharsis and storytelling tool. It’s also about the idea of punishment without purpose, and how that reflects where the world is heading.”
It is unlikely you’ll hear a more intense album in 2025. Stewart’s powerful performance provides the central foundation. He is rock solid as one would expect, and his dynamic delivery allows the songs to expand, expanding into explosive, visceral chaos, whilst simultaneously moving to draw in elements of Doom and dissonant Black Metal.
Vortex Of Oneiric Visions follows intro Antechamber, the descent to darkness already imminent. What follows is an uncomfortable yet organic wild ride which showcases the talents of Doherty in his songwriting. It is brutal Death Metal as one would expect, yet there is a modern feel to the Old School style, thanks in part to a fine production.
The epic of Entering The Void sees the pace vary, pausing for occasional gulps of air amid the wild ride that ensues. The two-minute instrumental Liminal Prison provides welcome respite before the oppressive Entropic Enslavement casts your soul deeper into the abyss.
The vocal style is as expected, yet unlike many, it is distinctive and clear. Combine that with top-level playing, and this is an album which is very much in the upper echelons of Death Metal today.
It is rare these days that I spend much time with new Death Metal, for it’s often formulaic and stale. This album may follow a similar blueprint in parts, but the sludgy Doom of Entropic Enslavement and the crushing title track with its lead bass lines pulsing throughout move the sound away from the repetition of many and into a more expansive and interestingstyle.
This is top-end Death Metal that is best listened to through high-quality headphones, for then you can really pick out the searing guitar leads and once again marvel at Stewart’s blistering performance.
There will be few records that unnerve as much as this one in 2025. Most definitely one to watch.
Abyssery release Interminable End on 25 July 2025 and is available to pre-order from Bandcamp.
