Through the Cracks of Death

Autopsy. There it is punters. Straight off the top of this review, the band name that just can’t be ignored or mentioned when talking about anything to do with Abscess. I was going to try attempt it, but realized what a ludicrous idea that would be. So why not get it out of the road first up.

Of course, the whole Autopsy-Abscess link is damn hard to ignore when your label blazons the ‘ex-Autopsy’ sticker across the front of the jewel case. It’s been six long years since the demise of Autopsy, but the link remains as strong as ever when Abscess rears their ugly head. Not that the association is anything to be ashamed about, it’s just that Autopsy was such a major force on the gore/death metal scene, that Abscess by relation have been burdened with a weight of expectation that could be all too consuming.

Fortunately, Chris Reifert and Danny Coralles (both ex-Autopsy) couldn’t care less. In fact, it appears they thrive on the whole Autopsy/Abscess link. As if they can ignore it anyway – they were Autopsy. And judging by the strength of ‘Through The Cracks of Death’, they’re obviously not worried about living up to expectations. This sounds like the best thing they have done since the days of ‘Mental Funeral’.

As a Death Metal fan from its inception, it has always bothered me that I never quite ‘got’ Autopsy. Unlike countless other bands that played the Brutal factor in the early 90’s Autopsy was just that little too twisted and demented for me. It’s hard to put my finger on it, and even though I recognize their material as pretty much death metal classics, they just never clicked for me.

Abscess gives me the same feeling. Oh, there is no question that TTCOD is one sick, psychologically deranged album –it’s loaded with a ripping production and highlights a caustic set of tracks that portray rough, raw and crazy guitar riffs, hyped up leads squeal away all over the place and a twisted cacophonous wall of noise is laid down in great style. Sometimes this band gives you the feeling that they are about to lose control of what they are doing, like the whole album is just about to implode under it’s own slacker brutality. It’s an insane show that is being put on here, and it’s a challenge for the listener to sit through the whole deal just to see what the band comes up with next.

Clearly, this is Abscess’ most mature piece of work also. Lyrically, this is darker and weirder in a more psychologically deranged sense. Finally, the band seems to have grown out of the gross-out toilet humor of previous albums like ‘Urine Junkies and ‘Seminal Vampires & Maggotmen’. Hence tracks like ‘Raping the Multiverse’ and ‘Escalation of Violence’ take on a different slant. It’s all still very nasty and horrific, but in a more cerebral way (if that is possible? Huh?)

Having said that, I find it all rather ho hum. Yep, its an enjoyable ride – fast and furious, demented and full of brutal music – extremely well done, there’s even a hint of melody within - but I won’t be playing this in a months time, let alone next year. Maybe it’s the cluttered, on the edge musicianship, or the typical, but tiresome bile infested vocals that Chris continues to spew forth. Or maybe, it’s the lack of truly memorable songs. I apologize if this has confused you somewhat, but just like Autopsy, I remain ambivalent about Abscess too. They may be up your Death Alley if any of the above has impressed you, but for me, I’ll skip it.