Abysmal Dawn - From Ashes
Crash Music - CMU 61170 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
The wildly ranging quality of output from Crash Music makes a reviewer's first listen of any of their releases an affair laced with nervous anticipation. You never quite know whether you're going to get an album that will be an unreserved pleasure to listen to, or one that will prove a torturous slog. Luckily, the debut by Abysmal Dawn falls firmly into the former category, with From Ashes proving to be a fine slab of death metal that takes in influences from practically every subgenre of the style.
Yep, old-school Floridian brutality, technical riff-torrents, a dash of Swedish melodicism, all manage to make their presence felt in some way during the nine-track, 35 minute album. And it doesn't seem forced, either - all the elements are fused together so seamlessly that the songwriting flows masterfully. Whether it be the Capharnaum-esque technicality of 'Servants To Their Knees', or the twisted melody and blistering lead work of 'Crown Desire', or the mid-tempo grooving brutality of 'Wicked Impulses' midsection, just about everything gets a look-in.
That's not to say this is a particularly groundbreaking album, though. Sure, a shitload of death metal subgenres are visited, but they're not expanded or improved upon - you could probably edit something rather like this album together using the best bits of previous Cannibal Corpse, Monstrosity, Kataklysm, etc. albums. But what it lacks in originality, From Ashes more than makes up for in entertainment value. The production is spot-on, hearkening back to the early-90s DM heyday while still retaining a modern sheen. The vocals switch from blackened shrieks to cookie monster growls as is typical, and the musicianship from all parties is effortlessly impressive. In essence, it may be just another death metal album - but it's a fucking good one.
7/10 (UM's Review Rating Scale)
Abysmal Dawn's Official Website
Crash Music's Official Website
Crash Music - CMU 61170 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
The wildly ranging quality of output from Crash Music makes a reviewer's first listen of any of their releases an affair laced with nervous anticipation. You never quite know whether you're going to get an album that will be an unreserved pleasure to listen to, or one that will prove a torturous slog. Luckily, the debut by Abysmal Dawn falls firmly into the former category, with From Ashes proving to be a fine slab of death metal that takes in influences from practically every subgenre of the style.
Yep, old-school Floridian brutality, technical riff-torrents, a dash of Swedish melodicism, all manage to make their presence felt in some way during the nine-track, 35 minute album. And it doesn't seem forced, either - all the elements are fused together so seamlessly that the songwriting flows masterfully. Whether it be the Capharnaum-esque technicality of 'Servants To Their Knees', or the twisted melody and blistering lead work of 'Crown Desire', or the mid-tempo grooving brutality of 'Wicked Impulses' midsection, just about everything gets a look-in.
That's not to say this is a particularly groundbreaking album, though. Sure, a shitload of death metal subgenres are visited, but they're not expanded or improved upon - you could probably edit something rather like this album together using the best bits of previous Cannibal Corpse, Monstrosity, Kataklysm, etc. albums. But what it lacks in originality, From Ashes more than makes up for in entertainment value. The production is spot-on, hearkening back to the early-90s DM heyday while still retaining a modern sheen. The vocals switch from blackened shrieks to cookie monster growls as is typical, and the musicianship from all parties is effortlessly impressive. In essence, it may be just another death metal album - but it's a fucking good one.
7/10 (UM's Review Rating Scale)
Abysmal Dawn's Official Website
Crash Music's Official Website
