SONIC DEATH

Following on from 1999's proficient 'The Last Supper', Abaddon Incarnate have not only improved their formula, but they've also made the best record to come out of the British Isles this decade. Consisting of the same sort of Death / Grind as before, 'Nadir' is twice as frenetic and the delivery far more precise. The Mieszko Talarczyk production brings to mind the same power that Nasum's frantic 'Human 2.0' possessed, but with obviously more Death-y tendencies - best described as something between Pig Destroyer and Nile. All the tracks seem to be somewhere in the region of one and a half to two minutes long, and the subject matter contained within varies from anti-Christian / Satanic stuff to ancient Egyptian mythology and general nastiness. The track 'Scene Of The Crime' for instance kicks off with a sample from the hideous bit in 'Casino' where Joe Pesci and his brother are smashed in with baseball bats. It's pretty damn sadistic, but then what less would you expect from good old brutal music? However..

What really makes Abaddon Incarnate stand out from the rest of the pack is how they play with the kind of uncompromising attitude seen on 'Scum' and 'Once Upon The Cross'. They coldly bludgeon the listener with a type of unrelenting aggression that is rarely experienced in today's music. Many bands do go for the rage angle, but Abaddon's furious approach gives their message all the more conviction, and makes it seem more real. Track titles like the first one - 'I Will Nail You In', 'Throne Of The Whore', 'Where's My Axe?', 'Seditious Thoughts' and 'Rot' give the sense that this band means business - they are literally prepared to maim and mutilate whoever crosses their path. It's a shame $Kerrang!$ will probably rub their dick all over this band - possibly going for the "Britain's most extreme band.. EVER!!!" approach, but don't let it spoil things for you, because 'Nadir' is awesome. It's extreme, it's heavy, it's unique, and it's basically the most intriguing Metal record to come out for some time.
Jamie Wilson - 5/3/2002