Metal Anarchy

Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to artists that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have a Q&A with The Abstraction.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

THE ABSTRACTION: The Abstraction is a solo project founded in the summer of 2023 by ex-Rise Of Athena member Will Martin, based in Rotherham, UK. The Abstraction are a crushing and melodic blend of old and new metalcore with influences from a range of other genres. Will was previously a guitarist for post hardcore band Rise Of Athena that split in 2015 and had an 8 year hiatus before forming The Abstraction.

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

THE ABSTRACTION: My early influences are the staple metalcore bands, such as Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, All That Remains, Bullet For My Valentine ect., where I learnt to play guitar and song write. From there I’ve taken on board more modern influences, such as Polaris, Wage War, Periphery, Veil Of Maya, Letlive. and other more modern bands that have helped shaped the unique sound and style I’ve achieved in The Abstraction.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

THE ABSTRACTION: Well, my most recent release is ‘Phoenix’ which was my debut single from my upcoming EP ‘Project I’. It’s a real fun song that experiments with time signatures and some interesting chord phrasing from playing in open C tuning, as well as a really big, melodic chorus. My upcoming single ‘Son’ will be released on all streaming platforms and premiered on YouTube on 22/01/24, which is a heavy ballad and has a real emotive theme around the emotions becoming a father. It’s had a great response from the few people who have heard it, and I think it will really demonstrate what I’m capable of as an artist.

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

THE ABSTRACTION: Well, I’m not currently playing live shows until the confirmed release date of the full EP. However, as I’m a solo artist, I’m working closely with Tom Gittins of Monochrome Productions, who is mixing and mastering all tracks on the EP, to create a complex backing track so I am able to perform the EP live across multiple instruments, which will be really fun and I’m really excited for!

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

THE ABSTRACTION: I’m hoping following this EP to start work on a full album, and look to recruit other musicians to be able to tour live and have the more traditional live band experience, which should hopefully open some more doors in terms of support slots and shows across the country. Success to me is just people connecting with my music, whether it reached 100 or 100,000 people, so if someone can listen to one of my songs and feel something then I’ve done my job. But, hopefully, I’ll be much more widely known and doing some noteworthy gigs as I have done with previous endeavours.