Album Review: Calva Louise – Edge of the Abyss (Mascot Records)

Metal, punk, electronica and art rock weave through grandiose narratives and cinematic storytelling with a mind-blowing visual delivery, this is the Calva Louise universe. Their new album, ‘Edge of the Abyss’, will be released on July 11th, 2025, via Mascot Records.

An album that tells a story about characters travelling between different dimensions, worlds with people who mysteriously resemble doubles of each one of us, like shadows that seem to stalk us but who in reality seek to communicate with us. Who are these beings? What do they want from us? How can we reach them?

A band that always puts a smile on my face, this new record from the alternative metal, rock, whatever you want to call them, band comes highly anticipated. Even if a lot of the tracks on the album have been out there for some time. You might think having heard the likes of Tunnel Vision, W.T.F, Aimless, Under the Skin, and La Corriente many times already would dent their impact, but you’d be wrong. So very wrong. Those tracks, alongside many other fresher listens, are immense, and all because Calva Louise (led by the incomparable Jess Allanic) create music with the most open of minds. Indefinable? To some degree, yes, and the fun comes from exploring their soundscape.

Honestly, the first few songs of this album should be enough for most to fall madly in love with this band. I don’t think this album could have started in a better way than the trio of absolute bangers that is Tunnel Vision, W.T.F, and Aimless. Anthemic metalcore filled with vitality, dramatic and cinematic, deep melodies, glorious choruses, odd electronica, and a passion that turns every single moment into an electrifying experience. The latter of those three tracks is delightfully heavy.

It’s all about variety though and Lo Que Vale being sung in Spanish is a very cool idea, especially as it has some blistering bursts of metal combined with body shaking melody. The keyboard, an integral part of the Calva Lousie makeup, sounds great here, and I think it’s fair to call this one of the more unique tracks the band has in its arsenal.

It’s all so addictive too, and the duo of Impeccable and Barely a Response don’t change that. I love the former’s fist-pumping electronica and ‘spooky’ melody. Whereas the latter creates likable drama with energised alternative rock rhythm and a harmonised chorus.

One of my personal favourite tracks on the album is The Abyss though, and all because of the synth. It’s pure electronica, industrially tinged, with a gloomy edge and it sounds awesome. The versatility in the band continues to amaze, and that’s before I even talk about El Umbral, La Corriente and Under the Skin, all of which can be summarised as tracks that you can move and head bang too in equal measure. Calva Lousie wrapping up this banging new album in eclectic and electrifying fashion. They really are so damn good.

Calva Louise – Edge of the Abyss Track Listing:

1. Tunnel Vision
2. W.T.F
3. Aimless
4. Lo Que Vale
5. Impeccable
6. Barely A Response
7. The Abyss
8. El Umbral
9. La Corriente
10. Hate In Me
11. Under The Skin

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