Review: Abigor – Hollenzwang (Chronicles Of Perdition)

Review by Lord Ixion

Abigor – Hollenzwang (Chronicles Of Perdition)

Record Label: Avantgarde Music

Year: 2018

Rating: 6.5/10

Contrary to popular belief, I regard Supreme Immortal Art and Channeling the Quintessence of Satan, the best works of Abigor! Nachthymnen is too melodic for me…

Now, after this statement about my personal taste, let’s see what we have here. Since the reform of Abigor, back to 2006-07, they have released 3 albums and this is their 4^th. Fractal Possesion marked a significant change to their style, with the technical and intelligent BM they presented there. To be honest, they always had complicated guitar parts and excellent drumming, especially on Supreme…and Channeling. But the sound/production is also different, clearer and more distinctive bass parts. Of course I have to mention that Silenius is singing with a totally different style, not only comparing to Summoning, but also to the previous Abigor albums (pre-Fractal Possession era).

Hollenzwang continues on the same path with their last year split release with Thy Darkened Shade, Mortuus and Nightbringer. Complicated, technical parts, progressive BM feeling, vocals with a great variety are present here again. But as the songs pass by, I get a feeling of monotonous hearing, I feel like I’ve heard this song before! This is the biggest disadvantage, with the exception of the opening track; all the songs have many common things. There’s no variety here, I have caught myself expecting a fast drum part, but all the record is mostly mid tempo. This album certainly lacks a more direct approach, that could have really give something extra, combined with all the “progressive, avant-garde” parts that are here.

I admit that I expected more from this release. I think that this is their worst album after the reform, the best is Leytmotif, but even with all these disadvantages I think that many would invest here!

Abigor – Höllenzwang (Full Album)