Album Review: The Abbey – Word of Sin (Season of Mist)

Aleister Crowley is a legendary name. His Abbey of Thelema – located Sicily, Italy – functioned as ground zero for many of the occultist’s most complex and ground-breaking hedonistic pursuits.

One hundred years after Crowley’s eviction from the Abbey by Benito Mussolini’s regime, new progressive doom band The Abbey emerge with their debut album Word of Sin, released on the 17th of February 2023 via Season of Mist.

A band and an album stepped in dark occultism, filtered through the medium of doom, and given a progressive makeover. The Abbey and their debut album, World of Sin is one of the most atmospheric albums you’re likely to hear all year. An album that resonates with the debauched and devilish part of all our souls.

It calls to us.

Grandiose wickedness that has Ghost-like melodic theatrics and My Dying Bride-like doomy weight, Rat Kin is an effective head-turner of an opener. Especially when the progressive entity that inhabits The Abbey really makes itself known in the latter portion of the track.

With some sinister sounding groove and a faster pace, A Thousand Dead Witches shifts the tone slightly. Again though, like an unnamable horror from hidden dark depths, it transforms into something quite different in its final moments. These alterations are appealing because they showcase The Abbey’s imagination and willingness to experiment.

Something that is so prevalent in the unnerving, horror-laden, and melodically toned immoral sound of Crystallion and Starless’ murky doom vibes. Two of the bigger and bolder tracks on the entire album, and the moments where The Abbey stops sounding less like an amalgamation of other bands and really start to become their own, unique sounding, thing.

Developing and growing into their monstrous skin as the album goes on. The initial melody of Desert Temple changes into something that has a malevolent sermon-like quality to it. The speed and intensity reaching an impressive apex. Followed then by the gloominess of Widow’s Will, where the vocals really soar, and Queen of Pain, where the guitars sing like a wicked choir.

Take a deep breath at this stage as The Abbey aren’t quite done yet. Saving their grandest and most delectable offering for the end.

It’s called Old Ones and is preceded by a charged piece of atmosphere. The Abbey setting the stage for the most dramatic and epic track of the entire album. Notable because it’s nearly thirteen minutes long. However, that sinful length flies by in an orgy of experimental smut, doom-driven heaviness, and melodic despair. It’s a very special track and the undeniable draw to experience the heady horror that World of Sin offers.

The Abbey is open to all who dare step foot inside and experience the decadence that is the World of Sin. Do it. You know you want to.

The Abbey – World of Sin Track Listing:

1. Rat King
2. A Thousand Dead Witches
3. Crystallion
4. Starless
5. Desert Temple
6. Widow’s Will
7. Queen of Pain
8. Old Ones (Prequel)
9. Old Ones

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