The Pitch: German old school death metallers Abyssous make a comeback 6 years after their debut ...Smouldering with a new outing via Iron Bonehead. FFO: Death, Portal, Altarage
What I Like: With each proper track broken up by haunting interludes, Mesa is an atmospheric outing indeed. When I think OSDM, I tend to think brutish and bludgeoning, but Abyssous offset the usual Death influences with a hefty dose of Portal to keep things interesting. The insect-like blackened guitar tremolos and tireless drumming on tracks like "Ocaeon" are testament to that. Seemingly endless blastbeats and tom fills echo into into a listening space that stretches on into eternal darkness. The alternations between rabid assault and isolating ambience leaves me feeling constantly on edge; never certain what the next moment has in store.
Critiques: Nothing here is particularly surprising, but it still represents a mode of the genre that is a little less well-trodden.
The Verdict: If you enjoyed past outings from Malthusian and prefer your raw, old school death metal on the blackened side of the fence, Mesa is the album for you. Abyssous have done an excellent job here from the palpable tension and enmity to the perfectly balanced production.
Flight's Fav's: Impelled, Ocaeon, Aerosoils
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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