EP , October 2010
Self Released
Abnormality is a death metal ensemble hailing from Marlborough, Massachusetts (USA) who have been kicking some serious ass ever since their inception in 2005 but are surprisingly underrated, even after exuding some ferocious talent through their sonic onslaughts. The band comprises of Mallika Sundramurthy who is perhaps one of the best female vocalists in death metal along with Josh Staples (Bass) who has also served time in Sexcrement, Incinerate, Neuraxis etc. Jay Blaisdell (Drums) from Goratory, Teratism and Compost Pile, Ben Durgin and Jeremy on Guitars who have also served time in Revengeance and Iranach respectively.
So far the band has just two releases under their kitty, both being self released demos, but some high class gut wrenching death metal. Whilst their debut demo in 2007 was packed with some great moments and excellent musicianship, their latest offering ''The Collective Calm in Mortal Oblivion'' has taken the ferocity and tightness to a newer level.
This self released mini album was unleashed during October, 2010 with a suave blue-greyish CD cover layout, the art of which was made by the band's vocalist Mallika herself. There are 3 songs on this CD and it kickstarts with the title track which begins it surge with a nicely faded in riff, which eventually paves way for a groove laden instrumental, with a little bass solo and then the vocals kick in to give you a thud in your face. Even before you could help yourself to get some reprieve from that mighty punch, an absolutely catchy and well laden chorus smacks your cranial tissues once again. The vocals here are pretty interestingly laden with a screamed segment for the chorus, until an abrupt growled section comes ahead to finish it in an ominous manner.
This track is pretty much mid paced and groove induced with ample double bass sections and catchy rhythms. But this is just a prelude to the mayhem which the upcoming two tracks would relinquish.
Mallika's tortured scream emanates just after the faded out outro of the opening song and smashes your eardrums with a plodding fury. After that there is absolutely no escape from the impending carnage of this furiously beautiful song, aptly as ''Hatred Relentless''. You could actually notice the amount of relentless hatred being rushed out from the ravishing riff frenzies which the song gushes out on your ears. The entire track is a deftly etched work which spews out sublte melodic leads and a solo, nicely intervowen with carefully crafted chaotic riffs. Yet another impressive element of this album.
The grand finale to this already excellent album, ''Zealotry'' is perhaps the best composition as far as cratfy musicianship is concerned. Its power packed with the exact formula which Abnormality have banked upon, which is a zealous blend of sublte melodies with dense power chords and down picked rhythms. The interesting and spontaneous flow of riffs and the time signatures just don't let the attention to draw anywhere else. I must add that its pretty appreciative of the band to employ musical complexity without the usage of the cliched sweep arpeggios and fretboard wankery, which a lot of bands and people consider ''technical'' for just no worthwile reason. I wouldn't say that Abnormality play ''technical'' or ''brutal'' death metal, which are just some bastardized tags.
This band doesn't really require any such unscrupulous tag. They play uncompromising death metal which banks highly on deriving high quality death metal which doesn't shy off from employing the usage of subtle melodies, of course intervowen with a flurry of riffs and tight percussive demeanor.
If you appreciate your death metal to be the way it has been mentioned above, then you should certainly check out this MCD. I wonder how are they even unsigned till this date. Any labels/promoters reading this review, please help this talented band to get their morbid visions on the underground death metal platter. I am sure that they are going to crush more skulls by their upcoming cacophonies!
Check out Abnormality on their Myspace to order this album
Abnormality on Youtube
Final Verdict - 3.5/5
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