UMUR "Phylogenesis" is the 5th full-length studio album by US, Los Angeles, California based death metal act Abysmal Dawn. The album was released through Season of Mist in April 2020. It´s the successor to "Obsolescence" from 2014 and features two lineup changes since the predecessor as drummer Scott Fuller has been replaced by James Coppolino and guitarist Andy Nelson has been replaced by Vito Petroni.

The material on "Phylogenesis" continue the technically well played death metal style of the band´s previous releases. Lead vocalist/guitarist Andy Nelson performs both higher pitched aggressive vocals, throaty raw vocals, and deeper growling vocals, so the vocal part of the music is relatively varied. Nelson´s performance is good, but he is not a standout vocalist, you´ll be able to instantly recognise. The instrumental part of the music features sharp and brutal death/thrashy riffing, well played guitar solos, powerful precision drumming, and decent variation between faster- and mid-paced sections.

"Phylogenesis" also features a professional, powerful, and well sounding production job, and all in all "Phylogenesis" is a high quality US death metal release. You can put checkmarks on almost anything on the album and say that it´s quality features, but I´m still not fully satisfied with the album, and it has a lot to do with the songwriting. Upon initial listens "Phylogenesis" appears to be a great album, but on further listens it becomes apparent that the songs aren´t that memorable, and that the riffs are rather generic and lacks memorability too. It´s not bad quality songwriting, but it´s pretty generic and lacks memorable hooks. It´s how I remember their previous efforts too. Highly professional and very well played releases, but lacking memorable moments and a distinct musical identity. I have been forgiving in the past, but this time I´m stretching giving a 3.5 star (70%) rating.

Nightfly Phylogenesis is the fifth album from USA death metallers Abysmal Dawn, their first being From Ashes back in 2006. They’ve been pretty consistent from day one releasing quality albums of technically well played death metal, adopting the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach with each album sounding quite similar. Perhaps for that reason they don’t seem to have such a high profile as some of their peers.

Hardly surprising then that once again on Phylogenesis they stick to their tried and trusted template. That’s no bad thing though as they always deliver a quality release. As before the songs are busy, complex and generally fast with no shortage of great guitar work and plenty of breakneck pace double kick drums and blast beats interspersed with fast fills. What it ultimately boils down to is the quality of the riffs that might make one album slightly better than another. Whilst I think the band hit a peak on 2014’s Obsolescence, Phylogenesis is not far behind with a consistent collection of songs that are entertaining throughout. It’s not a constant barrage of breakneck speed though as although that’s their stock in trade they break it up with slower sections where they’ll lock into a groove for a while backed by a powerful and compelling riff.

Another top quality death metal release then from Abysmal Dawn. If you already like them then I’m pretty confident you’ll enjoy this one too, if you don’t then this is not going to change your mind. For me though, if they continue to release albums of this quality I’ll keep buying them.