There's such a thing as atmospheric black metal, but an overkill of effects and synthesizers doesn't make an album very much frugal. As we will demonstrate on this release, I'd have to in short summation say that 'Abrahadabra' doesn't hit home with me in any respect. Even with Galder on guitars doesn't enhance the music with his lack of efforts, or I should say lack of.

The music is filled with a conglomeration of synthesizers/effects that drown out the guitars and the vocals which are despicable. The songs that contained the guitar were weak and not noteworthy in any respect. When I say weak, I mean not chunky or catchy. The intro to the album features effects that are evil sounding, but as a whole, quite annoying and unnecessary.

There's a fine line between using effects to create an atmosphere that's evil, but atmosphere that enhances the music. On this album, there's way much overuse of effects to the point to where it's disgusting. Galder doesn't really offer much on here in terms of innovation or interesting riffs. His lead playing is quite putrid and the rhythms are sub-par.

On pretty much every song, you have the guitar (which isn't loud enough), synthesizers in the background, drums that are fueled with double bass, but not much blast beating, and vocals that are less then worthy of any type of praise. Every song features nothing that's striking or grasping. No riffs that really are intriguing to me, just total bland guitar. It's difficult to hear Galder's riffs because of all of the effects going on in the background.

The vocals are annoying and Shagrath doesn't have much passion or vigor with his efforts. This includes the backup voice as well. It bored the heck out of me. None of the music here meshes well with the throat. All of the vocal outputs are not demonstrative or captivating. They are not by any means quality or worthy of any type of praise.

The mixing wasn't very good - the synthesizers and effects as I've mentioned were overpowering and the guitar wasn't loud enough to hear the riffs. The vocals are muddled to the extent to where there's too much clean and not enough hoarse throat that's loud enough to hear. Way too much focus on atmospheric conglomeration without much focus on the main musical aspirations.

I've heard some pretty bad black metal lately and this release is one of them as well. I urge you to stick with 'Enthrone Darkness Triumphant' (1997) and 'In Sorte Diaboli' (2007). This release had way too much effects and not enough focus on the guitar riffs or any type of music that is noteworthy by any respect. This is the worst Dimmu Borgir album that I've heard. It's not grasping or innovative by any respect. Don't make a mistake like I did and invest in this release.

Rating: 4 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death8699
08/31/2011 17:36