Draft:Abyssal Frost

Abyssal Frost is a blackened death metal band currently based in Atlanta, GA. Their lyrics tell an epic saga that blends elements of Norse mythology and science fiction with themes of horror, isolation, cannibalism, and lovecraftian horror. The band has released one studio-recorded EP and currently plays live events at venues in the Southeastern United States.

History
In 2004, Kenan Kerr and drummer Scott Shelton played together in the nationally touring metalcore band, My Hero is Me, who signed to Tragic Hero Records in 2006 before disbanding in 2009 after several lineup changes and difficulties experienced while touring. In 2006, Kenan Kerr and Scott Shelton, along with vocalist Sheldon Smith were founding members of Wrath and Rapture, a nationally touring melodic death metal band that was also signed under the record label Tragic Hero Records. Due to the religious-sounding band name, which “popped out of thin air,” Wrath and Rapture were occasionally mistaken for a Christian metal band.

After Wrath and Rapture dissolved in 2012, Kenan Kerr began independently composing music for a potential future project which would eventually be included in Abyssal Frost's EP. In 2018, Kerr, along with drummer Scott Shelton, vocalist Sheldon Smith, and lead guitarist Steven Funderburk (from the bands Through the Eyes of the Dead and Wretched) officially formed Abyssal Frost and recorded the Antarsia EP, which was released in October 2020. Lyrics for the EP were written by musician and lyricist John Stone with additional guitar solos featured in Antarsia written and performed by Heinrich Yoshio of Æther Realm.

In 2021, Abyssal Frost opened for Canadian power metal band, Unleash the Archers.

The band signed with Beyond the Top Records in 2023 and released their first full-length album, The Pyre Aflame, on January 11, 2024.

Reception
After the band's EP was released in 2020, the reception was generally positive with Metal Rules calling the music "catchy" and "complex" with the overall EP stated as being "punishing death metal" rating the album 3.5/5 stars. The music blog, Angry Metal Guy, described the EP's guitars as being "hooky" and "slaying", and wrote that the drumming "seals the deal, blasting and exploding in vicious bursts of furiosity". And Metal-Temple rated Antarsia 8/10, likening its writing to a "satisfying short horror story" that "stands out not only for its brutality but also for its intelligence and thoughtfulness".

Band members
Current members
 * Kenan Kerr - guitars, composition
 * Scott Shelton - drums
 * Sheldon Smith - vocals
 * Steven Funderburk - guitars
 * Aaron Monger - bass

Albums

 * The Pyre Aflame (2024)

EPs

 * Antarsia (2020)

Singles

 * The Surgeon (2020)
 * The Cronos (2020)
 * Hypothermic Amputation (2023)