ABHORRATION from Oslo returns with their long-awaited debut album “Demonlatry”, a furious attack of satanic death metal that takes the genre back to its primal roots.
Following the success of their 2021 EP “After Winter Comes War”, ABHORRATION delivers another relentless dose of old-school metal with a fierce 37-minute attack.
From the moment you hear the first sounds of the album, you can’t help but recognize the influence of MORBID ANGEL and VADER. Raw, aggressive, and occult. “Demonlatry” brings back the very essence of old-school death metal through the back door—fast, brutal, and uncompromising, packaged in modern production that gives it a unique signature.
The album opens with the explosive speed and fury of “Chamber of Agilarept,” with relentless drum pounding and intense riffs, pulling you into a whirlwind of chaos, from which you won’t emerge until more than half an hour later. The ominous atmosphere and growling vocals create an intense introduction to a world of satanic madness. Although I’m not a fan of solos and long guitar sections, you barely notice them amidst the few breakdowns scattered throughout the songs.
The album continues with “Ai Apaec,” slower in the first half, but the middle brings eerie, faster sections that create a dark, ritualistic atmosphere before returning to a slower finish.
“Spawn of an Abhorrent Entity” is a slower and more sinister composition, filled with dark riffs that build tension. Then everything explodes into a true storm of blast beats and rapid guitars, with an excellent balance between aggression and oppressive sounds.
In “Invoke Them” and “The Grace of Immolation,” fast, furious sections intertwine with slower, doom-laden passages, preparing us for the final plunge into the abyss.
The final, title track brings a fitting conclusion to the album, serving as the final blow of raw death metal energy. “Demonlatry” feels like the culmination of the album’s themes and sound—furious, dark, and chaotic, with a palpable sense of evil running through every note.
With their debut, ABHORRATION boldly channels the spirit of old-school death metal, delivering a sound that is both familiar and fresh. The album’s production retains the raw, gritty aesthetic of classic releases within the genre. The result is an album that feels organic, primal, and, above all, powerful, skillfully avoiding the overly polished sound of modern productions.
Available from October 4, 2024 (CD & digital) / November 1, 2024 (LP) via Invictus Productions.
