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Released on April 22, 2016 via Century Media Records
Belgian extreme metal merchants Aborted have been bulldozing their way through the death metal scene now for over 20 years, and with every release have been evolving and pushing things a little further to become one of the scene’s leading bands. Now for their ninth studio album – Retrogore – the band have turned slightly away from their usual thematic standpoint slightly, but lost none of their brutality, indeed, the album features some of the bands fastest and darkest work yet.
Opening with the easy going melody of some classic vintage sounds, the listener is immediately put in a slightly uneasy position. You know the noise is coming, but you are not sure when exactly. The short intro soon gives way and the album bursts into life (or should that be death, this is Aborted we are talking about) with the title track, and normal service is resumed. With the ridiculously fast tempo and some of vocalists Sven de Caluwe’s most savage utterings, they soon forget those comforting sounds of a few moments ago. You are now in their world and you need to be ready for what comes ahead. A very impressive opener that is merely the beginning of a very twisted journey.
The album features its fair share of obscure horror and gore movie samples (I must admit I’m a bit of a sucker for those types of things), just in case the name of the band album or songs still leave you in some doubt as to the bands intent. These all quickly give way to more absurdly technical musicianship that puts a lot of current bands to shame. Considering this is a band that have had their fare share of line up changes over the years (Sven is only remaining original member), but you would be forgiven for thinking that this hadn’t been a unit together for a while. New recruit Ian Jekelis has only been on guitar duties for a year or so, but his work with Medel bij de Leij is a great example of how technical death metal should be played, losing none of its visceral approach.
As with bands such as Cattle Decapitation (whose Travis Ryan lends his own unique vocal skills to the track ‘Divine Impediment’), Aborted are one of the really important bands in this scene. Each album seems to push boundaries further, and becomes technically more stunning and also equally vicious. The production of Kristian Kohlsmannsleher leaves every sick twist and turn is heard amongst what can be easily disregarded as chaos that is ensuing all around it. Other guest spots from Benighted’s Julien Trechan and Origin’s Jason Keyer add even more depth to an already masterful release. It seems right to have these types of guests, because Aborted have come to a point where they are every bit those other bands equals right now. One of the best death metal releases you will hear all year, from one of the genres best bands. What more could you want?
