Abraham – Débris de mondes perdus
Release Date: 25th February 2022
Label: Pelagic Records
Bandcamp
Pre-Order
Genre: Noise Rock, Post-Metal, Blackgaze, Bleak s**t.
FFO: Abraham’s previous records, Bleak s**t.
Review By: Ben Harris-Hayes
Swiss post-metal stalwarts Abraham are some 11 years into their existence and return to our ears with the follow-up to well-received 2018 album, ‘Look, Here Comes The Dark‘, which was quite frankly, harrowing…in a good way!?!
Working alongside the excellent Pelagic Records for this release, I am expecting another earth-shattering, depressing slab of goodness…and despite the loss of 2 band members, Abraham are marching onwards with this new release.
Let’s dive in, shall we…
Drummer and vocalist, Dave Schlagmeister, greets us at the door with a raw outburst before the driven bass and dissonant guitars kick in on the opening track, “Verminvisible”. Not a bad opener, and it certainly sets the tone for what’s to come.
“Blood Moon, New Alliance” slaps us upside the head with it’s near-post black metal vibe as the D-beat drums lead the charge, alongside the excellent guitar parts panned hard left and right; which can be really enjoyed on headphones.
When things break down to just the guitar in this track, I am reminded of those excellent break sections that Meshuggah gift us with those unhinged melodies.
I like this track…a big thumbs up.
The near-funereal dirge that greets us in track 3, “Maudissements” is a stark contrast to the previous piece, which is quite genius.
Slightly out of tune clean vocals catch the ear and add another sinister level to this clever piece of post black metal(?)
I really want to point out the warbling shifts in tempo, the odd (time stretched?) guitars and the vocals and how this all adds up to the awkwardness of the track. It’s quite a trick, and certainly one that impressed me.
This is one unnerving and depressing piece of music, my friends…and I like it.
“Ravenous Is The Night” segues straight out of the previous song and is a deliberate contrast to it. The driving D-beat fuelled ending, bringing this 1-2 combo to an abrupt end. Nice.
I’ve seen the YouTube audio for “Fear Overthrown” elsewhere when Pelagic Records shared it, so I knew about this track and definitely enjoy its shift between that now trademark d-beat drive that Abraham have perfected and the excellent, but creepy arpeggios that the guitars are delivering.
“A Celestial Funeral” is not only a great title, but it’s a fine track.
Those dissonant arpeggios are here once more to haunt us and although this track is not an album highlight for me, it does have its moments.
The album closer, “Black Breath” features the haunting vocals of previous collaborator, Emilie Zoe, which only adds to the unnerving vibe on this 7 minute dour beast. The continuous drum pattern drives the track towards its inevitable destruction…
The production on the record is delay soaked, heavy and thick…like a lumpy gravy, which I appreciate. It really lends itself to the dirge-vibe of the tracks.
Overall, the album has my brain reaching for slight comparisons to moments by Daughters, Cult Of Luna, et al…but it’s definitely its own thing.
It’s a dark journey and from what I can recollect, there is no happy in the tracks at all, which is perfectly fine.
It’s cold, abrasive in places, and weirdly fascinating.
I keep getting drawn back to track 3, and it’s weirdness. It’s top stuff.
I would definitely recommend this to any lover of post metal/noise rock and general bleakness. Two thumbs up from this scribe.
(4 / 5)
