Grendel’s Sÿster - Katabasis Into The Abaton

Grendel’s Sÿster is a German metal band who formed in 2015. “Katabasis Into The Abaton,” is their debut full-length album; they have also released two EPs.

This album, and band, is quite the surprise for me. I don't know of any other band that sounds like them and this debut album is very ballsy for doing something so different. Simply put, “Katabasis Into The Abaton,” is an album that defies categorization.  Yes, it's metal. Hell, it also has a lot of doom elements. But it also contains a heavy 70s influences plus folk and krautrock. 

It's also jaunty and catchy as hell. These elements pair well with the production, which has a DIY feel that brings out all the individual elements in play as they manage to weave together in a cohesive mosaic. Much of the album's charm comes from vocalist Caro. She's charming, energetic, whimsical, actorly and sings her face off.

Of course, I would dare discount the other members. Guitarist Toby is a master of many styles…one minute he is slowing down with an offering of massive riffs of doom slabs, the next minute he might be throwing down a speedy riff and blazing solo. Or he could be displaying folk tunes with a singer/songwriter craft. 

Drummer Till and bassist Simon can be heard clear as day, the drive and rhythm of such myriad music on their shoulders.  They handle it well, very much bringing a solid foundation while complimenting whatever style the songs happen to be offering in that moment. 

The album opens with “Boar's Tusk Helmet,” a metal romper that intertwines clever riffs with catchy vocal lines. The middle segment blew me away with how engaging the drums are. The bass picks up the song in the second half, offering it's own dimensions for the vocals to play off.

The band tends to do their best work when they fully combine their epic metal and folk side into one. The galloping rhythm of “Rose Arbor” meets the vocal cadence, creating a folk song that subtly grows more layered as it moves along.

The doom elements I spoke of earlier shine in “The Fire That Lights Itself,” a slow dirge that is perhaps the darkest song on the album. But it's still catchy and melodic when it need to be; the band is always comfortable with any direction they take, exuding bravery and confidence far beyond their years.

“Cosmogony,” finishes the album with a good ol bout of epic fantasy metal.  The rhythm guitar and bass are particularly strong, offering a meaty performance. But the vocals and drums dance with each other, ensuring the song is another earworm. I love the galloping instruments that ramp up the song near the end.

Grendel’s Sÿster’s “Katabasis Into The Abaton,” is an unique album that displays a lot of flavors that will satisfy music fans in general, not just metal heads.  It takes a lot of talent to meld metal with such elements that are way outside its wheelhouse but the album presents this strange but effective mix expertly.