Abhorer - Upheaval of Blasphemy [1993] (EP)

A few years after releasing their demo “Rumpus of the Undead,” Abhorer would put out another release, the two-song EP “Upheaval of Blasphemy.” This new collection of material definitely showed the band’s improvement, as the two songs here are more memorable than the previous unholy tunes and they shaped the sound that the band would perfect on their full-length a few years later.  

Unlike “Rumpus of the Undead,” the production on this release is a lot better. Every riff, growl and percussion assault can be heard and distinguished perfectly on these two tracks, as the music is mixed terrifically. Abhorer also provided more variety on this EP (ironic given that there’s less material) as the riffs aren’t just non-stop tremolos. “Abandonment of Chastity” is a solid mix of the tremolo bursts and kickass midpaced riffs that are sure to thrash the listener’s neck. “Heathendom Incarnate” is a fantastic track that alternates between the two different styles of riffs, while weaving in some heavy vocals and violent drumming, creating a highly memorable song and one of the best tracks in the band’s arsenal. Overall, if you’re a fan of the previous demo, then welcoming “Upheaval of Blasphemy” into your collection should be no problem, because this is black thrashing death that is simply awesome. 

Highlights

“Abandonment of Chastity”

“Heathendom Incarnate”

Final Rating

Awesome [8.5/10]

Abhorer - Rumpus of the Undead [1989] (Demo)

Before all of the bombastic song titles and before the full-length, Abhorer got started way back in 1989 with their debut demo “Rumpus of the Undead.” The most extreme music around then were bands like Autopsy, Bathory, Bolt Thrower, Morbid Angel and Celtic Frost among others, but the four songs (not counting the intro) here are quite savage themselves, much moreso than the aforementioned bands who were the giants of the time. A lot of people may have not been prepared for the raw and sloppy music that coursed through this demo, because this music is absolutely filthy. The riffs, production, vocals and everything else just reeks of old-school. 

The first thing that anyone will immediately notice after the intro track clears is the muddled production. The quality of the production on this demo is shitty to say the least, but it adds to the overall feel of the songs quite nicely. The Celtic Frost/Slaughter guitar tone is murky and it makes the opening power chords of “Repudiated Faith” sound really dark. Throw in some whammy bar madness and incomprehensible growls, and you have the vile sound that Abhorer created. The majority of the riffs on “Rumpus of the Undead” are tremolo bursts and some occasional power chords, but there isn’t much variation in the riffs. Still, tracks like the title track and “Profane Immolation” crush as they engulf the listener in a shroud of evil, while they're simultaneously being pummeled by the rapid-fire percussion and insane growls. This Singaporean quartet definitely made an impact of sorts with this demo, but they would also go on to create much better music and leave an ugly and profound mark on the metal underground in Asia, and the world for that matter. 

Highlights

“Repudiated Faith”

“Rumpus of the Undead”

“Profane Immolation”

Final Rating

Awesome [8.2/10]

Abhorer - Zygotical Sabbatory Anabapt [1996]

This album is obviously not as raw as the very awesome "Rumpus of the Undead" demo, instead it's much more concise and dare I say "matured." I don't mean mature as a way of saying that Abhorer decided to start furiously masturbating to the uber-technical death metal albums that were being churned out or that they decided to mimic Coroner on "Grin," but the structure of the music was definitely better and provided some memorability to the chaos captured on "Zygotical Sabbatory Anabapt."

While the song titles are all completely bombastic, the music itself is pretty simple. The riffs range from razor sharp death metal tremolo bursts that are incredibly fast (Although, a lot of that speed comes from the intense drumming) which is made apparent as soon as the intro track is over and "Concubinal Celibatic Myrmidonian Whores" shreds through the speakers, to crushing midpaced riffs that would bring down the Wall of China (Get it? Because they're from Asia) most specifically on the song "Dom Abaddoniel Abysstic Demonolatry." There's also some melodic sections, but they're downright evil and are guaranteed to leave goosebumps. "Hymeneal Altar of Messianic Salicitation" meshes together the sinister melody with Crucifier's morbid vocals flawlessly for a dark atmosphere that isn't unwelcome at all. 

That is pretty much the whole story on "Zygotical Sabbatory Anabapt," and aside from the one doomy riff in "Dom Abaddoniel Abysstic Demonolatry," most of the music here follows the same sound. This is definitely a standout album of the black/death genre, mainly due to it not being as extreme as bands like Bestial Warlust and Blasphemy, but just for being all around brilliant and adding to Asia's extreme metal scene.

Highlights

"Concubinal Celibatic Mymidonian Whores"

"Phlegethonic Sybartical Demimonde"

"Dom abaddoniel Abysstic Demonolatry"

Final Rating

Awesome [8.8/10]