Almost exactly one year ago, I had the privilege of writing the premiere full album stream for Föhn‘s Condescending, an incredible funeral doom album that became one of my favorite albums of 2024. It was released on Hypaethral Records who clearly have an ear for impressive metal with an avantgarde edge, sporting QAALM, Witherer, Locusts And Honey, and others on their roster. Coming out Friday, August 22nd, 2025, a new album titled Abandon from Madison, Wisconsin quartet CORRIDORÉ will add to the label’s already stellar catalogue, but why wait until then when you can stream this beauty right now? CORRIDORÉ filters the heft and atmosphere of post-metal through the cathartic fury and gossamer sheen of blackgaze. Check out Abandon below!
Abandon starts off with a building tremolo riff that builds in depth and intensity until the shouted/sung vocals enter the fray, this album wastes little time showing its elements. The plodding rhythms of Isis, the shimmering and triumphant guitars of Deafheaven or MØL, and vocals that are reminiscent of Turnstile‘s hardcore flavor make a compelling combination on “We Vanish To Nothing”. “(Become) Carrion” offers a distinctly more black metal introduction that morphs into a more melodic chorus making its return all the more emotionally impactful. This sonic exchange builds in depth and emotional beauty like a 5 act play; the climax and denouement stick with you long after the curtain has closed.
“The Great Demise” adds elements of traditional metal riffage and Cathedral-esque doom to the mix, once again returning to a soaring and sorrow-laden blackgaze passage that eventually merges with the doomed post-metal forming a powerful platform to send the track into the stratosphere. “Lying In Splendor” is CORRIDORÉ‘s closest take on power ballad, well-paced and beautiful until they progress into rawer black metal intensity before closing with a stunningly subtle finale that reaches isleptonthemoon‘s tender radiance. 9-minute closing track, “Like Moths” shows CORRIDORÉ flexing their vast array of influences and talents, changing segments into an increasingly progressive and endlessly engrossing epic and the finest climax and coda combo on the album.
CORRIDORÉ have unleashed something special on Abandon, an emotive post-blackgaze adventure that for all of its heaviness, is able to float in the liminal spaces between despair and resilience manifested through righteous brutality and the cleansing power of the crescendo. Hypaethral have done it again, delivering us another gripping, must-hear record. You can pre-order Abandon here (physical) and here (digital). You can follow CORRIDORÉ on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Bluesky. Find out more about Hypaethral Records through their Linktree.
Who knew blackgaze could be so uplifting? CORRIDORÉs Abandon is like a metal detox with a side of shoegaze serotonin. This review had me headbanging and weeping in equal measure—truly a 5-act emotional rollercoaster with a doom-metal safety bar. Pre-ordering now to join the epic post-metal pity party!