ABYSMAL DAWN — Phylogenesis (review)

ABYSMAL DAWN — Phylogenesis album cover Album · 2020 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
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successor to "Obsolescence" from 2014 and features two lineup changes since the predecessor as drummer Scott Fuller has been replaced by James Coppolino and guitarist Andy Nelson has been replaced by Vito Petroni.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.
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UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
It´s a good quality US death metal album, but I think it seriously lacks an identity. Their cover of "Flattening of Emotions" by Death makes it abundantly clear why they are a second tier US death metal act, and an act like Death is in the premier League. It´s the songwriting which is lacking....
adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I'm not a massive fan of the band. I own Leveling The Plane Of Existence which I like a lot, but they've always felt like a 'one if enough' kind of band. I've yet to hear this one. I do usually check them out eventually.
Nightfly wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Think I'm more of fan than you, I gave it 4 stars. Not a particularly diverse band but I always enjoy their albums. I preferred the previous one to this but still rate it highly.

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