This time we return to Italy, specifically the city of Como, to delve into the latest album from the up-and-coming band Abadir. ‘Antikosmos’ is the name they’ve given the work. The first thing that stands out after the first click is the excellent production, where all the instruments sound balanced in terms of volume and presence. However, what truly shines are the riffs; tremolo picking dominates the record with sharp and precise execution, as demonstrated on the opening track ‘Thymos’. This is a direct attack where the riffs tear through the song, exuding ferocity while simultaneously delivering unsettling melodies and sharp, dynamic drum rhythms.
There are also tracks with a more dynamic feel, such as ‘Abadir’, where the introduction weaves together layers of keyboards to create a sense of depth that feels necessary just a few seconds into the track. Another detail easily noticeable simply by reading the titles on ‘Antikosmos’ is that the concept is almost entirely focused on characters and gods from Greek mythology. Regarding the vocals, they are medium growls with some low intervals that aren’t guttural and high intervals that aren’t high-pitched.
Since we’re talking about gods, their idiosyncrasies and powers are omnipresent, as are the melodic passages throughout the tracks. ‘Mneme’, for instance, evokes a melancholic yet melodious tune, spanning the entire width of the track with slower, more cadenced rhythm changes and perpetual, sharp tremolo riffs. They also introduce acoustic guitar passages as a musical resource, particularly in ‘Pandora’ and ‘Karonte’. While the guitars are a focal point, the drumming is another vital aspect of this album. It balances from track to track with tempo variations and precise hits, attacking with firm blast beats when intensity is required. However, I felt that something was lacking in the drum tone itself.
The final tracks inject a deeper melancholy, such as ‘Nyx’, which transforms into a slow litany drowned out by mournful melodies. For the album’s farewell, ‘Nekya’ attacks with more speed than its predecessor. Being the shortest track on the album, it overflows with the rhythmic and melodic intensity that is the hallmark of Abadir!
I believe the band can be categorised as Raw Black Metal, given its formative roots, while also incorporating elements of Modern Black Metal in the style of Mgła, without overlooking the influence of the Swedish Black Metal school of the 90s. While there are many highlights, it should be emphasised that Askios, who is credited as the main creator of the entire structure including guitars, drums, bass, and composition, is only 16 years old! This young musician has a lot of ground to cover, and together with vocalist Alberto Mugnai, he has produced a great work!
