Abominant, Where Demons Dwell
I’m a big fan of Kentucky. Without this fine state, I wouldn’t have single barrel bourbon. Half empty bottles of Woodford Reserve and a 2005 Vintage Evan Williams Single Barrel sit in the office with me as I manhandle this laptop. It appears now that there’s something else from Kentucky that I’m going to be a big fan of.
Abominant‘s ninth studio release — I can’t believe I haven’t heard these guys until now — Where Demons Dwell is a bestial heap of Floridian inspired death metal that brings with it tinges of old school Swedish death and blackness. Unrelenting and dark, the music on this album churns deep in a murky pit of bludgeoning rhythms, sickening riffs and guttural vocals that seethe with vehemence.
The album starts off with “Baptized by Steel” which, despite the sound clip at the begin, is a scathing, frenetic and unstoppable beast of a track. The guys couldn’t have picked a better song to start off the album as maniacal drums, sick guitars that stick with you for a good while and Mike Barnes vicious growls and guttural utterances deliver messages of death and horror. The memorable and, at times, catchy guitar work lends a bit of a groove throughout the album, but really stands out on tracks like “Bloodland” (and it’s blackened atmosphere) and “Firestorm” which has an instantly memorable riff.
The lead work by Timmie Ball on “Rain of Ash” is damn impressive as the guys shift from pile driving rhythms to a slower gallop while he shreds away for a good while about half way through the track. “After the Fallout” has a more somber and melancholic tone to it that adds an additional atmospheric element to the band’s presentation. The duo of Jim Higgins (drums) and Mike May on bass are a force to reckon with. They shine through the entire album. “The Wolves of Hate” is an absolutely blistering effort while the title track takes on an almost epic feel as it progresses through a dramatic opening few seconds before the galloping hooves of Hell’s army erupt out of the speakers with devastating consequences. It’s a hell of an album closer.
It may not be pushing any boundaries, but Where Demons Dwell is more than a solid effort by some guys that have been around long enough to know how to deliver the goods with precision, forcefulness and solid song writing. I’m going to have to check out their back catalog now. But first, I need to refill my glass of bourbon.