Review ABDUCTION “Existentialismus”

Abduction is the project/band of solo artist AIV. He started the outfit in 2015 and added four longplayers to the books. Today is the release date of the new album ” Existentialismus “, which follows the 2022 release called “Black Blood “.

The latest longplayer contains six songs, all blackened compositions with an epic flavor. The difference to the previous releases is the fact that the album was recorded as a band. In addition, the vocal range became wider than on the past albums. Hoarse and blackened vocals predominate, but there are also some guttural sections that allow AIV to broaden the emotional spectrum of the album. Lyrics are important to AIV and there is an almost philosophical view on society, humanity and the post-truth era.

The bandleader doesn’t claim to be a philosopher, but it’s art as a reaction to life and experience.

As mentioned at the beginning, Abduction is all about black metal, and the opener “A Legacy Of Sores” is a direction indicator. We are in for a furious black metal song built on speed and evil vocals. There is not a single sign of happiness woven into this diabolical opener.

The following “Pyramidia Liberti” is an interesting song on the album as it belongs to the versatile moments. Constant tempo changes and a gloomy atmosphere wrap this cinematic melody. Brutal and atmospheric don’t have to be irreconcilable poles. Both elements can be found in “Truth is as Sharp a Sword as Vengeance”. Almost clean vocals and desperate screams that reveal the blackened soul are the spice of this song.

Massive riff power, that’s the fuel for “Blau ist die Farbe der Ewigkeit”. The song stares at you with an evil grin and leads you straight into the atmospheric “Razors of Occam”. The latter reminds me of a mixture of Winterfylleth and SOAR, when brutal black metal meets folk-inspired soundscapes.

The 11-minute finale is a special moment on the album. It is relentless and merciless black metal that challenges your eardrums. Desperation and misery are the emotional factors of a song that reveals some twists and layers. “Vomiting at Baalbek”, which is the title of the closer, is a song that can maintain the tension throughout, showing the songwriting talent and musical approach of AIV.

” Existentialismus” is an interesting extreme metal release that builds on the roots of black metal while adding various twists and excursions to the foundation. The songs on this album are like a glimpse into the blackened soul of the modern world.