Overwrought (Washington state, USA) -- 2021 album .​.​.​and the Abyss Stares Back

The melodic black metal band Overwrought, here in the state of Washington, first came to the attention of people in this region of the United States with the recording called Demo 2018. They followed things up with the 2019 recording called Volatility. By that time, it was becoming more obvious that their brand of melodic black metal also had some traditional heavy metal stylings or melodies, and if not that, then at least, some more traditional vibes that seemed present in some ways. At any rate, it was a bit of unique take on extreme metal. Now in 2021 they have the full-length album ... and the Abyss Stares Back. The album establishes the type of sound already described: a melodic form of extreme metal in which black metal is a component (the vocals, the melodies, riffs and certain speeds) together with some traditional heavy metal present throughout, in subtle ways. It is also the type of music is close to the early sounds of melodic death metal, before it became a polished genre, when those then-young bands became more commercially viable.

Unfortunately, Overwrought seems to have run into some problems during the pandemic, and now they have decided to part ways. Overwrought is no more, but they leave behind an album as their last testament. It’s sad news for sure. It seemed like they were just getting started, and some of us had been looking forward to this album. We were not looking forward for the band to end, but Overwrought’s name is officially in the book of heavy metal.

And the Abyss Stares Back by Overwrought