ALBUM REVIEW: Abduction – A Crown Of Curses

Here I review the new album from UK Black Metallers, ABDUCTION released via Death Kvlt Productions (excellent underground label in Britain).

1. Permissible Death opens with pristine ambience and a really tranquil feeling, this then launches into some classic Black Metal riffing, tons of atmosphere and some absolutely tormenting vocals utilised, this song took a darker turn from the opening much faster than I anticipated. The dissonant riffing is very akin to bands like Leviathan, sounding absolutely grievous and full of attack. The UK Black Metal scene needed more bands to delve into the more twisted soundscapes of Black Metal and based from this opening song Abduction seem to be a strong act to place my trust in for this. The song is actually pretty melodic if you look beyond its purposefully ugly exterior, a really formidable force and one to be reckoned with. This album begins perfectly.
2. Reptillian Temple opens with some harsh noise and a similar vibe to projects like KFR with the hideous blackened ambience, but this soon drops into some really menacing guitar work that is actually pretty upbeat sounding with added psychedelic modulation effects, giving tons of space to it and a really unique feeling. The vocals are really grim and sound killer in the mix. The huge atmospheres with psychedelia elements used are really excellent and not really comparable to any other band (other than Oranssi Pazuzu but really not that similar at all) which is really interesting. The song is actually fairly simplistic in nature, but the layered instrumentals give it a huge wall of pure melancholy which cascades into less chaotic and more diplomatic Black Metal musicianship.
3. Hastam Omne Verbum kicks itself straight in the convulsive riffs, crashing drums and some really misanthropically fuelled vocals. The song has more aggression than the others but still remains reserved in its simplicity giving it a humble yet most effective approach. There is something both absolutely stunning and also unsettling about this piece with the more depressive stylistic elements used but then some really unexpected bridges adding a more malicious feel, with the guttural vocals in parts and some noticeable Death Metal influence this song really cannot be pinned to a genre, only accepted as a really awesome piece of music.
4. Respiratory Prison comes around with more bleak guitar riffs and heavy delay effects used on a vocal track giving a really eerie vibe to it. The song has something really off kilter and uneasy about it which works wonderfully for the title. The melancholic, epic and simplistic guitars kick in once more with huge walls of blackened atmospherics and blasting drums, more hideous vocals are used and together it all sounds both disgusting and actually kind of beautiful. The song is (somehow in a positive manner) claustrophobic which again works well with the given title. There is an immense feeling of anxiety which this song captures very well. This track is a must listen for fans of bands like Xasthur (but with a more modern approach) or Striborg. There is still plenty of dissonance and aggression so do not let my comparisons fool you into thinking this is just “DSBM” or something similar, it is far more complex and varied, although some appearances of “Nattramn-like” vocals do come through in parts. The synths and sampling sounds absolutely awesome and unique as hell for Black Metal to use these kind of Sci-Fi effects. The alien sounding music is both unique and actually really enjoyable (or at least to me). The song draws out with yet more bombastic classic riffing with a peaceful feel to it. Amazing work, I had to pause halfway through the song and go order a cassette.
5. Equinox Of Defeat features some really distorted and creepy sampling, I have no idea what it is but it works very nicely to create a horrific feeling. The song works as a really nice little break in the album adding to the already uncomfortable vibe of it. There is a certainly beautiful element with the clean strings ringing out chillingly but the sampling and ambience just feels unsettling to me.
6. Paaliaq has the task of closing such a magnificent album, certainly something that needs to be pulled off well. The delay-soaked vocals and synths immediately make me think once more of KFR (solo project of Maxime Taccardi) and some elements I used for my side project Åpenbaring. The song kicks into heavily aggressive and dissonant assaults. The vocals remind me of Attila from Mayhem, while the ferocity of the song is unrivalled by anything. There is something so primal and menacing about this. The way both very atmospheric and equally convulsive songwriting is used is really impressive as they are so well balanced. Once more, fantastic work and a perfect closing piece.

This album is not like anything I have heard recently. The simplistic 90s Black Metal elements are wrapped in ambience and even some psychedelic elements but then all with the added force and dissonance of some of the USBM scene. It is a unique and interesting listen, while it may not be for your run of the mill casual listener, this has a lot to offer the UK scene. -8.5/10