Abgott | ‘Fizala’

Abgott have shown promise for several years now, with their ‘Fizala’ debut demonstrating their particular ability for off-kilter BM. This full length keeps up the form, and is damn impressive as far as the UK scene sits at present. Opener ‘Kronos Cosmic Throne’ is a serious statement of intent, with some heavy handed blastbeats ensuring maximum destruction from the first. But though it’s capable, extreme, and markedly more mature than a great many of their peers, the whole album’s worth can at times be trying. In the same way that Mayhem’s (cough) idiosyncratic ‘Grand Declaration Of War’ is a completely take or leave affair, Abgott’s comparable use of jagged and lopsided riffing can be as repelling as it is fascinating. The solos follow suit, and are really nothing more than destination-nowhere noodling that just feel out of place on what should otherwise be a muscular, punishning black metal piece. There’s a determinedly ‘Blessed Are The Sick’ feel to it all, which extends also to the little compositions that pepper the cd, and the same feeling of slight metallic discomfort in it all. But if nothing else it keeps the listener at a peak of attention, even when trundling around its more generic tracks. Worth a look certainly, but more time to consider their overall aims will make for better work in future.

3.1 / 5 - Earl Grey ::: 30/11/06