Since 2016, Staffordshire, UK based Melodic Thrash/Death quintet King Abyss have been working the scene; gigging, releasing EPs, and working away. This year has seen the band self-release their debut full length album that they have entitled ‘Snake Oil’. A nine track opus that kicks things off in energetic fashion with ‘Weapons of Mass Delusion’, a track that very much like the whole album, combines fast paced modern sounding brutality with the odd slice of catchy and melodic flowing riff-age. It’s these bouts of silky guitar lead and bass groove passages that really hook me in, as well as the frenetic guitar solos combined with a battering ram style from the drums. I’m not so much of a fan of the vocal style which for me is a little too raw and abrasive for this particular style of music, but that is purely a personal taste preference on my part and in no way a criticism of the vocalist who has a powerful and forceful style.
What I very much enjoyed about this album is the technicality from the guitarists whose range blitzes through ravenous moments of fast paced hostility, to the intricate wanderings of the lead guitarist, and then onto savage solos throughout. In combination with a sturdy backline of bass groove and drumming savagery there are some very impressive segments of head banging fury laced throughout the album.
In truth King Abyss are not a band that would usually grace my music collection, and I was snared into reviewing this album by their promo material that promised music for fans of Metallica amongst others. In truth King Abyss sounds nothing like the Bay Area leviathans but touché to King Abyss for pulling me in hook, line and sinker. Had they not greased their promo literature with that little white lie I may never have heard this album, and that would be a shame because it’s an impressive piece of work; equal parts scorching adrenaline fuelled hostility and satisfyingly groove drenched melody.
(7/10 Marksson)
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