Trollcave - of the Abyssal Trespasser

Trollcave Is a funeral doom metal band from Spain, who formed in 2021. Their latest release is “Adoration of the Abyssal Trespasser,” their second EP; they have also released a full-length and a split. 

Trollcave’s doom is raw and ultra-abrasive. There is a difference between being heavy and extreme—this 31 minute EP is beyond those terms to the point where it is nearly alien. 

That's a compliment, too. Even some of the deepest and darkest doom bands don't sound disgusting and inhuman as the two songs presented here. 

The production is exactly how it should sound: against the grain and straight up disturbing. Every slow riff, ambient noise, death growl and drum bash rings out like the movement of an unknown beast in brackish waters.

The first song, which I suppose might be two since the intro is included, is “Intro / Grotesque Abyssal Trespasser.” The intro to the song is dark textures against an ominous backdrop. Decent into the sulphuric pits of the Abyssal nothingness? The sound track, at least.

Around the four minute mark, the stark monolithic noises change into pulverized riffs that rise and fall, cresting against the horrors. The death growls are some of the most evil I've heard in doom lately. 

Doom like this doesn't sound like dying so much as is sounds like it is death itself. It's slow, stalking, and inevitable. I love how even when it's at its heaviest, the clean/atmo/ambient tones are still present, creating multiple layers of darkness.

After the 9 minute mark, the song speeds up slightly and even injects groove, albeit sweltering and decaying.

The second song, “Abominator's Diseased Carrion,” eschews an intro for a more direct approach. The band retains its groove but it pulses with a special kind of finality that sort of creeps me out. 

Around the three minute mark, the song throws a surprising twist with a increase in the tempo. Another surprise builds off that one, a minimalistic passage of simple but concrete riffs and moody tones.

This process happens again around the 10 minute mark but it's a little faster and maybe even more harrowing.

Trollcave’s “Adoration of the Abyssal Trespasser,” is Ann exploration of things that might not need to see the light of day but will be heard none of the less. If you're a fan of funeral doom, this EP might still surprise you at just how anti-light it is.