Abhorrent Expanse

Abhorrent Expanse thrives on contradictions and draws strength from the muddled wastes between firm stylistic distinctions. The group conjures harrowing visions of the descent into true hysteria, abstracting the familiar hallmarks of extreme metal into ancient soliloquies intoned in forgotten tongues. Tectonic grinding, relentless needling, and claustrophobic encapsulation give way to violent flashes, pangs of dripping saturation, and wildly unnerving murmurs.

Following the release of their debut album “Gateways to Resplendence” and a short tour with their comrades in Sunless, Abhorrent Expanse returned to Signaturetone Recording to document the next installment of their subterranean exploration. With studio wizard Adam Tucker at the helm once again, the group sought to delve deeper into the worlds of profound discomfort and ugliness of which they are uniquely capable. The resulting improvisations utilized a variety of unlikely tools and textures in the studio ranging from a prepared electric piano and orchestral chimes to a fortuitously ominous door hinge.

As the amorphous new work began to take shape, the quartet enlisted the talents of several trusted collaborators from Minnesota's tight-knit improvised music community. The album kicks off immediately with “Enter the Misanthropocene,”a suite of frenzied grindcore vignettes punctuated by Jesse Whitney's stark electronic interludes. “Ascension Symptom Acceleration” follows the squealing outbursts of bowed metal fragments with an enigmatic clarinet coda by multi-reedist Nathan Hanson. In the grandiose final track, the group's monstrous drones and erratic drum strikes are enveloped by the shimmering, feverish contributions of celebrated pianist (and Minnesota native) Craig Taborn on Oberheim synthesizer and glass harmonica.

All eleven movements on “Enter the Misanthropocene” were improvised live by Abhorrent Expanse on April 10th, 2022 at Signaturetone Recording in Minneapolis. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Adam Tucker. Additional contributions were recorded by Jesse Whitney in Minneapolis, MN and Craig Taborn in Brooklyn, NY. The album was completed with artwork and design by Dave King and layout by Bill Harris.