Century Media (2012)
"What's today's agenda? Ah yes - e-vi-se-ration!"
Aborted was always class B death metal to me. I first heard them on 2007 critically acclaimed "Slaughter and Apparatus" - a few standouts and a handful of well crafted riffs and melodies. The problem with these guys, at least from where I stood, was that they had the chops, skills and talent to put out a high quality material but could manage to merely sprinkle some of the magick. I was frustrated because Aborted had that something that makes you go "goddamn that a tasty metal sandwitch!". They would either overbrutalize the music or make it too melodic but the songs, the fucking songs, just weren't there. Things did improve significantly with "Strychnine 213" but Aborted begun to sound like an entirely different animal. So I gave up on hope with them and when i-Pool check revealed a new release from the band, featuring an obligatory disgusting gory artwork reminiscent of Carcass, I sighed and said "Ah, what the hell".
The beginning intro is typical Aborted from A to d, but what followed pulverized me, ripped off my head and proceeded to shit down my neck. For THIS Aborted was not only heavy and brutal as usual but they balanced it against addictive melodies and riffs that sound fresh and competitive with some of the staples of death metal history and beyond. This is still fucking Aborted thru and thru but it is bursting with that something that instantly transforms them into the forefront of all things death metal. There are still no ballads and your priest will still cross himself multiple times and probably prescribe 10 hail Marys or some shit, upon learning what thou child of god have been listening to and ENJOYING! Tempos shift like spineless American politicians, as you're pummelled with insane speed and blasts. The drummer ceases to be human and draws his power from some unidentified supernatural entity, only to slow it down to a crawl on Morbidly Angelic "Expurgation Euphoria" and Aborted fasten you to your seat with a haunting, epic melody.
This music is first-rate dechristianizing tool of trade! Just listen to the epic opener or to "Fecal Forgery" (believe me you do NOT want to know what that is!) with riffery rivalling "Arise" of a certain Brazilian thrash outfit along with a fantastically non-death metal jazzy melodic groove where the solo guitars truly shine, which turns into a slow melodic epicness before concluding with someone exclaiming "Swallow it, bitch!" so revealing of track's lyrical theme.
Or take the Carcassque catchy as meningitis "Of Scabs and Boils" (possibly the best track of Aborted career) with a slow middle worthy of 90s Opeth, for some of the best fuck-you-Cannibal Corpse-with Barnes or without-we're-better-than-you this side of Six Feet Under!
And the riffs and sound? Voila, "Vermicular, Obscene, Obese" and "Grime" sport classic Pantera-ism the size of "Vulgar Display of Power" with the latter invading deathcore territory, while "Coronary Reconstruction" (featuring intro quoted at the beginning of this review) could be Aborted's fastest and most brutal song to date were it not for some epic harmony that recalls early Soilwork interspersed with some early Arch Enemy followed by the finest riffs since "Reign in Blood". I can hear how much fun it was to create this album for Aborted, clearly it's not just a job, it's passion that drives these sick motherfuckers! (seriously, have you SEEN the cover?!)
"The Kallinger Theory" is another standout : thrash/death melodic combo of All Shall Perish meets Meshuggah with industrial elements. And, as almost in every song, the solos are fantastic, creative and unique, and sometimes bring Arch Enemy to mind. "Our Father, Who Art of Feces" (bet Glenn Benton wishes he used that one) combines fast melody with punkish attitude and slayerism galore and a black album-like solo, very catchy tune you might end up humming in the shower.
But Aborted saved the best for last: the closer "Endstille" parts ways with brutal death metal for some "Burn My Eyes" grooves and riffing in this half-instrumental where Soilwork, Arch Enemy and even Carcass are given a run for their money for sheer technical melodic wizzardry. And all of it ends with a flatline. This is Aborted at their prime!
The dilemma is thus: this does not feel like a perfect album but I am not willing to take off more than half a point. But for what? Every track is great and not a filler in sight! The vocals, the standard Aborted mix of "breebree" pig squeals and hard core shouts is finally properly balanced, and the production is full, clear and powerful, a real subwoofer tester with some punchy bass lower than Black Eyed Peas. But the core of Aborted is still a relentlessly brutal and insanely fast mindfuckery of death metal. Occasionally, the intensity is overwhelming, reminding one that this is essentially still extremely brutal death metal music. The contrast of that extremity and the versatility of the "flavors" amongst it, is still a tad rough, sudden and unchiseled, but that is just about the only flaw I can find on this masterpiece.
This is the kind if album that a few years from now should be mentioned along with "Covenant" or "Necroticism" as a classic of death metal. Needless to say, its their magnum opus and the new standard to judge their future output by. Touché, Aborted, touché!
www.goremageddon.be
www.centurymedia.com
Rating : 5.5 / 6
Composed by Dethster4life