Release Date- 4 February 2022
Label- Season of Mist
Words- Tony Bliss
Following 2020’s frothingly received ‘Phylogenesis’ LP, ‘Nightmare Frontier’ delivers a more than welcome dose of Abysmal Dawns signature ultra melodic tech-death, served up for a growing number of eager fans sitting tight for a new full length. Sure, featuring only one original track (with a re-recording and two covers rounding things out), the EP is a stop-gap release in every sense, but there is still plenty to enjoy here.
New offering ‘A Nightmare Slain’ erupts like Krakatoa, pin-point riffing delivered at ridiculous speed with bursts of Stockholm powered turbo-death and the immortal spirit of Tampa Bays glory years re-tooled with a glistening sheen of modern sophistication, thanks in no small part to some glorious six string excess and blazing Necrophagist-esque soloing. In contrast, a revamped ‘Blacken The Sky’ (originally recorded for the bands 2006 demo) shows just how far Abysmal Dawn have progressed throughout their career, but is no less enjoyable, a more succinct riff driven ripper that still hurls more neoclassical shred and heads-down brutality at the listener than many of their peers could ever muster.
Bowing out with a stunning and adrenalised rendition of In Flames classic ‘Behind Space’ (worth the price of admission alone), and a interesting run through of Candlemass’ ‘Bewitched’ (replete with clean vocals throughout), these are four tracks more than worth your time, not only sating our appetite for that unique strain of Abysmal Dawn violence, but also demonstrating (if proof be needed) that the band are still well on top of their game.
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