Abigor
Origo Regium 1993-1994
[Napalm]
Before reviewing this CD let me say a few things about Abigor. My opinion of them has gone through several phases, and right now I'm somewhat torn. They are definitely one of the most "talented" black metal bands musically. They've always had that ability to write those clever melodic riffs and generally to put songs together so that they sound smooth and coherent. They say a lot of the right things in interviews and seem to have some sense about them. However, their music has always been grounded more in rock and melodic heavy metal than that of the true innovators of the genre, and I have big problems with their plagiarizing music and lyrics from other artists.
Anyway, Napalm released this CD (NPR 052) in a supposedly limited edition in 1998, and it may or may not be sold out. It's a collection of eight tracks from Abigor's demo era (they released *five* demos in this '93-'94 period, four of which are represented here). About half of the material reappears on the debut full length, 'Verwüstung'. However, as the liner notes (written by the band) state, these versions boast "original demo-sound". This means that the sound is about equivalent to Emperor's self-titled mini album. Some of the screeching, echoing vocals also call to mind those on 'Wrath of the Tyrant'. Musically, though, this stuff is far more "advanced" and less primal than formative Emperor. I'd bet money the members of Abigor had a few years of death metal behind them when they started the band, as everything was in place even at this early stage: tight, fast playing and polished, conventional songwriting.
"Kingdom of Darkness" from the 'Lux Devicta Est' demo is here with a different lead-in and minus some of the extra vocals appearing on the album version. "Eye to Eye at Armageddon" from 'Promo-tape 2/94' comes off a bit different from its album counterpart, sounding more ragged and awkward and employing an organ sound that isn't often used in black metal. Still, there honestly isn't much difference in the overall effect of these songs from that of the album versions.
The tracks that didn't make it onto 'Verwüstung' are predictably not as exciting as the others, most in fact being slow instrumentals and intros. The exception to this is "Shadowlord" from the first demo, 'Ash Nazgh...' It's an energetic number that betrays the band's Slayer/death metal influence just a bit, while retaining the emotional/medieval theme Abigor would continue to develop. It ends with a really disturbing monologue in German which makes me envision a bald madman who's been dwelling in the tower of an ancient Bavarian castle for the last 600 years plotting the downfall of humanity... :-o
Verdicts? First, the CD: for devoted fans, worth having as a companion piece to 'Verwüstung'; for casual fans, valuable mostly as a collectible or for the interesting liner notes and vintage pictures; for beginners, unnecessary. As for the band: I appreciate most of their music (especially the beautiful and heart wrenching 'Orkblut') and their dedication, but I find what they do a bit too "easy" - the frequently squared-off, predictable compositions, super-neat/studio-enhanced playing, the lyrics sometimes simply stolen from other bands - and I think they're missing that youthful hunger and adventurousness that has characterized *all* the great black metal of the past.
© 2001 j.s.
Anyway, Napalm released this CD (NPR 052) in a supposedly limited edition in 1998, and it may or may not be sold out. It's a collection of eight tracks from Abigor's demo era (they released *five* demos in this '93-'94 period, four of which are represented here). About half of the material reappears on the debut full length, 'Verwüstung'. However, as the liner notes (written by the band) state, these versions boast "original demo-sound". This means that the sound is about equivalent to Emperor's self-titled mini album. Some of the screeching, echoing vocals also call to mind those on 'Wrath of the Tyrant'. Musically, though, this stuff is far more "advanced" and less primal than formative Emperor. I'd bet money the members of Abigor had a few years of death metal behind them when they started the band, as everything was in place even at this early stage: tight, fast playing and polished, conventional songwriting.
"Kingdom of Darkness" from the 'Lux Devicta Est' demo is here with a different lead-in and minus some of the extra vocals appearing on the album version. "Eye to Eye at Armageddon" from 'Promo-tape 2/94' comes off a bit different from its album counterpart, sounding more ragged and awkward and employing an organ sound that isn't often used in black metal. Still, there honestly isn't much difference in the overall effect of these songs from that of the album versions.
The tracks that didn't make it onto 'Verwüstung' are predictably not as exciting as the others, most in fact being slow instrumentals and intros. The exception to this is "Shadowlord" from the first demo, 'Ash Nazgh...' It's an energetic number that betrays the band's Slayer/death metal influence just a bit, while retaining the emotional/medieval theme Abigor would continue to develop. It ends with a really disturbing monologue in German which makes me envision a bald madman who's been dwelling in the tower of an ancient Bavarian castle for the last 600 years plotting the downfall of humanity... :-o
Verdicts? First, the CD: for devoted fans, worth having as a companion piece to 'Verwüstung'; for casual fans, valuable mostly as a collectible or for the interesting liner notes and vintage pictures; for beginners, unnecessary. As for the band: I appreciate most of their music (especially the beautiful and heart wrenching 'Orkblut') and their dedication, but I find what they do a bit too "easy" - the frequently squared-off, predictable compositions, super-neat/studio-enhanced playing, the lyrics sometimes simply stolen from other bands - and I think they're missing that youthful hunger and adventurousness that has characterized *all* the great black metal of the past.
© 2001 j.s.