Beginning with an ominous, soundtrack-ish introduction, Abstrakt's debut full-length album features an obtrusive opening. Symphonic synthesizer work, effected croak vocals and bombastic overall feel give way, around 2½-minute mark, for the double kick drumming and heavy-handed guitar riffing begin. Abstrakt, who come from the capital of Finland, offer a synthesis of black and death metal styles.
The band have a big, loud, juggernaut-ish sound. It made me think of a hybrid of Finnish and Norwegian styles merged. Bands such as Limbonic Art and Dimmu Borgir combined with Alghazanth, Darkwoods My Betrothed, Gloria Morti and Thyrane,for example. However, while all the aforementioned bands have fast and blasting material, Abstrakt operate more with the middle-paced territories. This isn't funeral doom, you know, but between mid-paced and fast, with some occasional blast beats utilized. On the second song, more melodiousness appear. 'Paradox' features something similar to Children Of Bodom, Kalmah and Eternal Tears Of Sorrow, making a bold statement of the band's ability to pen some catchy music. 'Invocation' travels into more gothic music realms.
The rhythm guitars are about heavy-handed chugging. The lead guitar work is very good and skilled, showcasing both metal's rapid and flashy fret-board runs, and some more rocking, more loose yet not lame, happenings. A fine element which isn't heard on many bands' armature repertory is in this way is the use of an acoustic guitar. It appears together with the electric guitar, and adds a feeling of folk music or eeriness, depending where it emerges. The rhythm section is simply punchy. The bass is well heard and a salient part of the backbone. The drums do what they are meant to do; provide racket. Generally, the rhythm section, together with the rhythm guitar playing, offer varying frame for everything else.
The synthesizers are both sophisticated and simplistic. The symphonic compositions are often multilateral. Sounds of strings and wind instruments are used to create softer or intense atmospheres. There is typical Finnish tinkling sounds, too, and of course mat sounds, plus a few its of electronic stuff. Soundtrack style is another trait of Abstrakt's musical spectrum. The symphonic elements do mostly sound synthesized, but there is are no weak MIDI antics going on. The title track is a full-fledged synthesizer song, mixing every attribute of the keyboard wizardry.
The vocals are largely croaky black metal throat. It is powerful enough, if nothing original. Also some shouted vocal lines are heard. The vocals are the plainest black metal element in the band. 'Hän joka varjoissa kulkee' ("she who moves in shadows") is in Finnish language, and it works as expected: Finnish isn't the most attractive of sung languages! It's still well done, no doubt about that, and it also brings in some okay variety. Unhola, anyone?! The vocals are comprehensible. The lyrics are about evil forces and, if you ask me, evil religions that are taken as good and holy. It is all rather standard fare, but there are some catchy lines for sure.
In all, the musicianships are pretty far up from amateur levels. Mostly, the compositions work well. They also offer some adventitious turns, some more and some less, so this kind of longer songs do not feel uneventful. The songs were recorded in three sessions, in 2011-2013. There is some alteration in sound quality, but mostly it is sturdy and powerful. It is also clear and balanced so, that every element is audible. The music happens to be mostly interesting and flows on well. I personally wanted the closer to be something else, but this presents a multifaceted band. Worth investigating if the bands mentioned in this review mean something good to you. It does not feel like a real album, though, but works as a demonstration. Abstrakt are working on the new album at the moment...
Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained
Reviewed by Lane
02/19/2017 18:26
