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REVIEWS:
I have
to admit, I had low expectations for this one. I've been
slacking on my underground death metal knowledge, and wasn't
aware that Elizabethtown, Kentucky had spewed forth Abominant
in 1993, and that they've recorded seven full length albums.
Consider me educated now, though, as I've just had the pleasure
of listening to "Triumph of the Kill". I feared this was
going to be very generic and boring, but that wasn't the
case at all. Abominant are clearly veterans of the death
metal scene, easily avoiding the pitfalls must underground
bands get sucked into. First off is some really quite decent
production, each instrument well balanced and sounding good
at higher volumes. Hats off to the drummer Jim who's a whirlwind
of smash and bash. Death metal wouldn't be deathly if it
weren't for that particular guitar sound, Tim and Buck adding
melodic touches here and there for effect, but never stepping
into lighter territory... mainly thanks to the grunts and
coherent howls of vocalist Mike, who sounds like he eats
clean singers for midnight snack. The songs themselves are
well composed, with a bit of technicality seeping into the
pure stomping death. I particularly liked "Of Night and
Flame" and the one that comes after it, "Mask of Sanity"...
killer guitars, even busting out a little bit of a solo
on "Mask of Sanity", and it's a nice melodic thing too,
not just a pinch harmonic tremolo bar wangfest. "Killing
the Innocent" somehow sounds like it's constantly about
to fall apart but somehow doesn't. The title track is a
blast, like artillery falling all around you and pulverizing
the earth, then the guitar solo at 3:38 takes over from
the melodic lead for a moment, playing over a nice measured
beat before surrendering to the full out crush that ends
the song. Not bad at all, and certainly better than some
of the better known death metal bands. These guys are playing
it as vicious as it gets, and those who appreciate a really
solid death metal act that doesn't always color within the
lines should check them out.
DeadTide.com
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