I was pleasantly surprised when the album dropped towards the end of 2020, and it turned out to be a delightful departure from my expectations.
Retaining the unmistakable tone of Leytmotif Luzifer, the album showcases finely-tuned guitars, stellar drum work, and an infusion of epicness that shines, particularly in its (un)holy trinity: 1. Gomorrha Rising - Nightside Rebellion, 2. Silent Towers, Screaming Tombs, and 3. Orkblut (Sieg oder Tod). Consistently maintaining its high-quality standard, the album boasts stellar production with a crisp and clear sound. The time breaks are intriguing, with guitars adorned in dark melodic layers that contribute to a sublime atmosphere, occasionally taking the listener by surprise. The album's lyrical themes coalesce around a nexus of darkness, rebellion, and a cosmic narrative. Silenius's return with his epic vocals further elevates the overall sonic experience.
While the recent Abigor materializes avant-garde black metal influences, exploring intricate time signatures and compositional structures, this specific album reintroduces a nostalgic essence of the old days, notably in the initial two tracks. Silent Towers, Screaming Tombs strikingly mirrors the epicness found in their classic track "Shadowlord", complete with a low clean vocal choir, solidifying its status as my personal favorite on this album.
Undoubtedly, this is Abigor's best album since Satanized (A Journey Through Cosmic Infinity). Unfortunately there's no sign of the old Abigor, though still epic and heavy, but in a less direct and raw manner. The band remains on a quest to explore new horizons and reach greater heights. However, I believe enough time has passed for old-school fans to either embrace or distance themselves from the band's recent musical directions. If you appreciate it, go ahead and give it a listen. As previously mentioned, this album represents their finest work in nearly two decades.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=7BQBhU7ZA_s
