Abhor/Sex Sex Sex (Ceremonia Daemonis Anticristi)/Iron Bonehead Productions/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Italy's  Abhor  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  an  esoteric  and  occult  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Sex  Sex  Sex  (Ceremonia  Daemonis  Anticristi)"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Iron  Bonehead  Productions.

  Horror  movie  style  organs  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  deep  demonic  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  spoken  word  parts  also  give  the  album  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  when  they  are  utilized.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  album,  the  tracks  also  mix  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  era  influences  and  they  also  bring  in  a  cover  of  Mystifier's  "Beelzebuth".  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while t he  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  occultism,  Esotericism,  Witchcraft  and  Horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Abhor  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  esoteric  and  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ceremonia  Daemonis  Anticristi"  "Ritual  Satanism"  and  "The  Call  (Forti  animo  sum)".  8/5  out  of  10.

  http://soundcloud.com/iron-bonehead-productions/abhor-evil-mentor

www.facebook.com/abhor666   

Abhor/Abysmal Grief/Legione Occulta/Ministerium Diaboli/Iron Bonehead Productions/2019 EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between  Italy's  Abhor  and  Abysmal  Grief  called  "Legione  Occulta/Ministerium  Diaboli"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Iron  Bonehead  Productions  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Abhor  who return  with  their  occult  style  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  along  with  some  ritualistic  sounding  keyboards.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  both  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  horror  movie  samples  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  their  side  of  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Dark  sounding  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  death  metal  growls  and when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  song  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Esotericism,  Satanism  and  Witchcraft  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Abhor  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Possession  Obsession".

  Next  up  is  Abysmal  Grief  a  band  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  doom  emtal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  horror  movie  style  keyboards  while  their  song  is  over  13  minutes  in  length.  Voices  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  briefly  and  after  awhile  slow  and  heavy  doom  metal  riffs  are  added  into the  music  as  well  as  adding  in  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  stringed  instruments.

  Elements  of  black  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  song  while  the  music  focuses  more  of  a  ritualistic  style  as  well  as  always  sticking  to  a  slower  direction  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  track  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding  very  powerful.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Abysmal  Grief  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  occult  black  and  doom  emtal.  8/5  out  of  10.

http://www.facebook.com/abhor666
http://www.abysmalgrief.com 

    

Abhor/Occulta religiO/Iron Bonehead Productions/2018 CD Review

  Abhor  are  a  band  from  Italy  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  musical  style  they  describe  as  being  esoteric  horror  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Occulta  religiO"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Iron  Bonehead  Productions.

  Dark  yet  heavy  riffing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  grim  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later  while  the  organs  gives  the  music  more  of  a  ritualistic  and  classic  horror  movie  soundtrack  and  when  the  music  speeds  up a   great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  a  more  raw  feeling.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  the  music  also bringing  in  a  great mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  clean  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Abhor  moves  away  from the  progressive  influences  of their  previous  release  while  keeping  the  organs  and  ritualistic  elements  but  adding  in  more  of  a  grim  black  metal  style,   the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  occultism,  esotericism,  alchemy,  witchcraft,  satanism  and  dark  folklore  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Abhor  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  and  ritualistic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fons  Malorum"  "Demons  Forged  From  The  Smoke"  and  "Occulta  religiO".  8/5  out  of  10.

http://soundcloud.com/iron-bonehead-productions/abhor-fons-malorum/s-HCurw 

  

Abhor Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?


Kvasir: At the moment we’re setting the fundaments for our next full-length. Studying the left path, and achieving the necessary strength takes time.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

Kvasir: “Ab luna lucenti, ab noctua protecti” aims to explore and portray witchcraft thought its various and different perspectives. We tried with this work to combine the roughness and the violence of black metal, with the equivocal yet eerie sound of the Italian rock progressive of the seventies, and the final result is brilliant, as we are 100% satisfied!

Over the years we have improved as musicians, and we’re constantly looking at an upper level to reach. Hence our releases sound different each other. I guess this is part of being an artist. Developing and searching for new ways to express our inner ego. Anyway, even if every release has a distinct expression, the essence is the same: Devotion to the black flame.

3. What are some of the lyrical concepts and themes the band brings out with the new recording?

Saevum: "Ab luna..." is an album talking about witchcraft in its various forms and in its natural evolution through the ages. We have investigated issues concerning the black witchcraft, the medieval inquisition, witchcraft folklore rooted in our Italy and especially in the Veneto region, our country. We ended up with so much material that probably the next album can be a continuation on the same topic.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?

Saevum: The word Abhor is simply a verb ... phonetically it sounds good and its simple meaning fits well with our philosophy that shuns in horror all that is pure and chaste ... ABHOR is the word that explains what happens between God and the Devil in front of each other with closed eyes and hands in front of the face.

5. The band has been around for 17 years what is it that motivates you to create new music after all these days?

Saevum: I'll ask the question in reverse: which meaning have all the bands in circulation that after 1 or 2 works disappear into nothingness leaving no memory of them and no one to regret it? Our tradition, sincerity and dedication, we were born for this and until we have blood in your veins will continue to do our game ... and perhaps beyond ... While working on an album we have our mind turned already to the future and newer ideas all the time, even though we are no longer kids.

6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Kvasir: Abhor is art in all its different forms: visually, lyrically and musically. Thus the live shows have always been an important part of our being. I consider difficult to recreate live the mystical atmosphere that you breathe in our CDs, but this is at the same time challenging and exciting. On stage we act with fire, blood, candles… like to recite in a theater for a selected audience... a gathering of lovers of darkness.

7. Are there any future plans for a new album and tour?

Kvasir: We stopped the live activity about a year ago due to our living situation in different countries. Anyhow we like to think that we’re coming back somehow in the future. Nothing concrete at the moment but…let’s hope for the future…

As for a new album, there will be one for sure. It’s almost impossible to stop the beast we created, namely ABHOR! But you know, good things require time.

8. On a worldwide level how was the feedback to your newer material by fans of black metal?

Kvasir: We got positive feedbacks in most of the cases. Some negative as well, but what to expect with the large amount of posers in the press and scene nowadays, ha ha. Surely they’ve just dedicated a quick and approximate listening. Do they expect to listen to the songs and find an easy to remember refrain to sing under the shower? This is NOT music for the masses. Good albums can take time, and they achieve only with the time. The more you listen to them, the more you discover. Songs sound better and better the more you get into them. Take a careful listen to the songs with texts in your hands, seeking an interpretation, then in that moment you will perceive the completeness of what we want to convey.

Be concentrated and to let the spirits take over you.. there the voyage begins.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Saevum: Lyrically we've already talked about ... musically we are increasingly oriented towards a form of horror black metal '70s influenced, a little "vintage" and a little "cinematographic" (in the old horror movies way)... always atmospheric with the Abhor trademark, mystical and occult flavor, as all our work. Our idea is to remain underground and use good analogical sounds.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Kvasir: We find inspiration in so many and different bands, mostly underground acts from the past. Basically we listen to band with personality and attitude (black metal or not doesn’t make any difference), not clones of the Scandinavian sound. I mean the Norwegian bands were good in those times, and they made a piece of history. But what about the tons of new bands which try to imitate them? Pathetic! Try to find your own way!

Spinning this week, just to name a few ones: Argentum (mex), Inchiuvatu (ita), Mortifier (ita), Barathrum (fin), Dim nagel (nor), Lik (swe), Bosque (por), Murkrat (aus), Jex thoth (usa), Trist (pol), Myling (swe)…

11. What are some of the forms of Satanism, Occultism, Magick and Witchcraft that has had the most impact on the band?

Saevum: Not only my band but my own life has been greatly influenced by the Hermetic Magic, the Magic of the Elements and the classical Sorcery... I'm always interested in the Paranormal world in general, Spiritism... I never really liked the Sexual Red Magic, Crowley, or the vein of La Vey ... Also very important were the studies of Alchemy that I still consider a good metaphor for life and nature.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Kvasir: Good vintage wine is appealing for us (both drinking, making and collecting), as well as hiking out in the nature as a shelter from the modern society.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Preachers of the Universal Black Principle…

Adepts of the reign of the unlight…

Devotees of the occult arts…

Raise your chalice and JOIN US!

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Abhor/Ab Luna Lucenti, Ab Noctua Protect/Moribund Records/2011 CD Review

  Abhor  are  a  band  from  Itlay  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  primitive  form  of  atmospheric  occult  black  metal  with  a  progressive  touch  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Ab  Luna  Lucenti,  Ab  Noctua  Protect"  which  was  released  by  Moribund  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  keyboards  are  very  dark, atmospheric  and  progressive  sounding  with  a  great  amount  of  influences  from  70's  occult  rock,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  atmospheric  occult black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sounding  with  somewhat  of  a  doom  metal  feeling  at  times  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording  with  the  songs  not  either  being  too  short  or  long,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  full  chords  and  finger  picking  to  add  a  progressive  sound  to  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  grim  sounding  and  high  pitched  screams  to  spoken  word  ritualistic  passages,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Occultism,  Witchcraft  and  Satanism,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Abhor  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  occult  black  metal  band  with  a  touch  of  70's  occult  progressive  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style  of  music,  you  should check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Golden  Path"  "Echoes  Of  Desperation  And  Hate"  "De  Vermiis  Mysteriss"  and  "Seven  Magics".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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