Entry 305 - Abigor - Totschlager (A Saintslayer's Songbook)

 

There is no other band in black metal like Abigor. No other band is able to remain so consistently creative and innovative and still fall entirely within the realms of black metal. There are many other bands that are innovative within the genre, but most if not all of them pull in outside influences... Abigor has remained solidly within black metal itself.

Totschlager is no exception to this. This album is entirely within the realm of black metal and distinctly of Abigor's making. But what does that all mean?

It means that the riffs are incredibly complex and intricate. It means that there is a lot of tastefully done keyboard work that accentuates the metal. It means that the vocals are sinister and filled with sulfuric acid. It means that the music demands your attention, it required active listening... it is not meant to be in the background.

In a way Totschlager feels like a bit of a return to the late 90's sound of the band. There is a lot here that reminds me of Supreme Immortal Art and Nachthymnen. The combination of the intricate riffing along with the heavy presence of keyboards hearkens back to that sound rather strongly. That and the fact that Silenius is back on vocals only helps bring back that early sound of the band.

I can't fully describe the sound that is present here. The album is absolutly excellent, possibly among Abigor's best... and certainly the closest they have ever come to the 90's sound that they had previously. I have been enjoying every album since Silenius rejoined the band a few years back, here's hoping they continue to put out interesting and creative albums.