I usually want to puke when I hear keyboards or chant singing. It reminds me of Enya or some shit like that. But I'm an old school death metal asshole. Now some black metal bands like to use both in their music. Abrahel is one of these bands that does have both. BUT, I like the use of both because they are used seldom and it does fit the vibe of the album. These guys come from Spain and formed in 1997. And this album starts off with the sounds of the wind and water, and this track is called "Through The Edge Of Violence". Then a battle with swords into the keyboards and chanting, which is called "Agens Odio Vesteri". The first official song on here is "Morkath The Wrathman". It reminds me of older Bathory and the first Samael "Worship Him" album. Very well played old school black metal. This song has quite a few times changes with mid paced and fast parts, and is long, but it doesn't get boring at all. "Black Lips Of Sexual Doom(The Dark Nymph)" comes next with a creepy intro. More of a mid paced banger with singer Incuberus changing from high shreiks, to more mid level growls then to actual singing. The singing comes and goes quickly so I don't mind it at all and it does fit. "Transcend The Gateway" is next and is the longest song on the album at over 14 minutes. Every track has an intro actually to help with the creepy atmosphere. And the howling wind and keyboards make me look over my shoulder for sure, hehe. The opening riff and blasting/ skank drum beats come in and then the song really starts to take off. It is a long road to hell of blasts and skanks until later in the song when it lets up for a mid paced beat and then goes fast again! Pretty amazing. The end of the song has a cool creepy acoustic part as well. "The Priests Of Transition" starts off with a slower riff and beat this time. It remains like this until the end and then it gets double bass mid paced. Album closer "Passage" has what almost sounds like a clogged bong start off the song, haha, well it is water. But then the guitar comes in and it is just the guitar and the water together on this one. The riffs and notes are a perfect fit to end the album. The melodies that Abrahel uses are good and this is a very good black metal album that has the sound and vibe of the early 1990s atmospheric black metal. Very close to the Greek sounds from those days. The album is also a concept on the Succubus Abrahel. And the layout is great as it folds out into a good sized poster of the artwork. Gravehill also hosted these Spainards mid last year when they came out for some shows. We played 2 shows with them and they were a good live band! And great guys! I look forward to the next album! HAIL ABRAHEL! SALUDOS HERMANOS!
Review by: Mike Abominator 8/10
Get in touch with them on their myspace page as well: www.myspace.com/abrahel
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