Rating: 8.0

Country: Italy

Release Date: 2006

Record Label: Season of Mist

Track list:
1. Armageddon (intro)
2. Disgust and Rage (sic transit gloria mundi)
3. A Dog-Eat-Dog World [mp3]
4. Ruinrama Kolossal S.P.Q.R. (satanic pollution - aliphotic rage)
5. Generator
6. Suffer Catalyst
7. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
8. Man Bites God
9. I Reject!

Band Website: Aborym

Aborym - Generator

Nysrok Infernalien - Guitars, Synths
Bard Eithun - Drums
Prime Evil - Vocals Malfeitor
Fabban - Bass, Synths

The fourth album from these cyber-black pioneers is the Mr. Hyde to the previous With No Human Intervention's Dr. Jekyll. Having conducted some devious experimentation into techno-augmented nihilistic cosmic chaos, Aborym have distilled their essence into something more organic and candid. It is the same unique animal, but it has one bloodshot eye looking towards a glorious past whilst it chases back the boundaries.

Whereas before Fabban's bass held the whole Aborym sound together whilst electronica and savage guitars swirled around him, the seamless incorporation of Bard Eithun's drumming gives the production a less synthetic rhythmic foundation. This is a dynamic drum performance that shows a passion for the material it supports, knowing when to deviate and when to keep it tight and direct. His presence coincides with a few early Emperor style passages in "Disgust and Rage" that twist into deathly chugging. Other than the periodic old school nod (blatant in the proto-black final track), the slight sniff of Arcturus ambience and the strong taste of Akercocke in the intro to "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea", this is definitive Aborym.

The intro to "A Dog-Eat-Dog World" evokes the timeless majesty of epic black metal, malevolent and chilling. Howling wind vocals add to the desolation before bassy layered synths take over. "Ruinrama Kolossal S.P.Q.R." is as Roman as it sounds, starting as a pompous choir-led war anthem, leading into thrashing triplets and then a marching outro. The title track has density and pace, broken with haunting bass/synth parts and swelling electronica. "Suffer Catalyst" has a false upbeat intro that mutates quickly to icy northern black metal and then surprisingly to a virtuoso guitar lead that ends in harmonised James Murphy style flourishes. Attila Csihar fans need not worry as "Man Bites God" is a vehicle for him to say farewell and make way for Prime Evil's equally impressive vocal variety. The more ethereal moments of this track hark back to Fire Walk with Us days, where deep space void and synth-harmonised guitar drones became essential.

Detractors will note that this album is far less riffy than its predecessor, also lacking its vibrant colourful highlights and venomous disdain of rules. However, each Generator song has its own character and as a whole album this latest effort has far better flow and can be enjoyed again and again for what it is - multi-dimensional and relentlessly dark black metal of high quality and integrity.

June 7th, 2006