Drawing ever nearer to Christmas now merely a week away, Iron Maiden got in the festive mood yesterday but now its time to get back down to business. What would Christmas be like in an apocalyptic wasteland with the impending sense of Obsolescence? Abysmal Dawn have reared their dystopian ugly head to answer just that.
Abysmal Dawn – Obosolescence
Having been around for eleven years now Abysmal Dawn have been slowly but surely carving out a niche for themselves. Previous album Levelling The Plane of Existence saw them get a foot on the rung of the death metal ladder and now they’ve found their footing, their climbing fast. Obsolescence, this year’s malevolent dripping masterpiece is their latest effort. Combining the quintessential groove the band employs along with diminished style leads and of course, as with any death metal band, a bleak outlook on humanity.
Nine songs (and one cover) of absolute immovable death metal. Ranging from their slow evolving riffs to their breakneck speed mid sections Abysmal Dawn have created THE solid death metal album of the year. Employing the “if it ain’t broke, improve it” mentality. Not drastically changing their sound but slowly metamorphosing. The band have harnessed the oblivion like essence that runs in the bands veins to create a seriously ominous statement of intent. With hold fast single “Inanimate” flitting from juggernaut main riff to lacerating palm muted notes that ensnare the listener, binding tighter as the song continues, textured with a beautiful short but sweet solo. It really is masterful, inspired song writing that ensures the flow of the album is retained. Lumbering to and fro “One Percent Incomplete” represents a distorted waltz, contrasted with the howling one two punch of opener “Human Obsolescence” and the tech mad “Perfecting Slavery” including a guest solo by none other than Christian Munzner.
The melodic descent of “The Inevitable Return To Darkness” is a fitting finish to the album showcasing their more melodic death metal roots with a hook in the final couple of minutes, matched only by the inauspicious drum tom signalling the finality of the record. An album that is cohesive, works on many different levels and delivers so much more than many of the copycat one trick pony types that are ever present in death metal. Abysmal Dawn are death metal’s most sturdy band, reliable and whilst using the same formula, at a glacial pace, are evolving to consume all metal heads.
