Welcome back to Ask the Artist, where we let musicians step away from the promo grind and talk about the things that actually shape how they write, think, and feel music.
Today we turn to ABSTRACTED, the progressive extreme metal visionaries from São Paulo, Brazil, active since 2013 and known for their ability to blur the lines between technical brutality, melody, atmosphere, and pure compositional madness.
With their new single “Áxis” just released — the second glimpse into their upcoming sophomore album Hiraeth, due out on March 1st — we asked them a question every songwriter knows painfully well.
Ask the Artist
Question:
“Do you ever hear a song and immediately think, ‘Damn, I wish that one was mine’? When was the last time that happened to you — what was the song, and what made it so special?”
ABSTRACTED:
“Yes, that definitely happens. One of the last times we felt that was listening to ‘A Change of Seasons’ by DREAM THEATER. What makes it so special is the way it transcends the idea of a song and becomes a journey — emotionally, structurally, and conceptually. It’s a piece that teaches you how time, contrast, and thematic development can coexist in a single work without losing coherence or impact.”
Hard to argue with that.
Today’s Track: “Áxis”
With “Áxis,” ABSTRACTED don’t just release another song — they present a conceptual anchor.
The track revolves around the idea of invisible structures: the internal forces that keep us upright while everything around us shifts, collapses, or mutates. Musically, that concept translates into a constant push and pull between chaos and control — complex rhythmic movement, sharp technical passages, and sudden moments of space, melody, and reflection.
It’s heavy, yes — but never heavy just for the sake of impact. Every shift feels intentional. Every section feels like part of a larger arc rather than a display of technique. The result is something dynamic and emotionally charged, not just impressive.
“Áxis” feels like a band very aware of where they stand now: not chasing extremity, but shaping it into something meaningful.
The Path Toward Hiraeth
ABSTRACTED already turned heads with their debut by refusing to stay in any single lane — mixing progressive death metal foundations with atmosphere, melody, shifting structures, and philosophical depth. With Hiraeth, they seem less interested in proving what they can do, and more focused on why they’re doing it.
The upcoming album promises a broader emotional palette, deeper contrast, and an even stronger sense of narrative — while still keeping the technical firepower fully loaded. Guest appearances and expanded textures only add to the sense that this is a step forward, not a repetition.
If “Áxis” is the pillar, then Hiraeth is shaping up to be the structure built around it.
And if this is only the second single, the journey is clearly just beginning.
