Still coal black at their core, Abgott's onslaught is more brutal and determined than ever. Better still, their proclivity for experimentation appears almost supercharged, and combining a particular fondness for jazz signatures with the maelstrom of misanthropic aggression conjured up by the likes of "Experiment in Evil" and "Dimensional Labyrinth", they create a similarly unhinged atmosphere to the one that lent Deathspell Omega's _Kénôse_ its maverick charm. While not eclipsing that release for landmark quality, _Artefact of Madness_ very nearly gets there with songs that are progressive, consistently locked on target and doused with a production lacquer that straddles a perfect balance between feral and polished.

On a level plane with Gorgorth's intensity and more engaging than the last Aborym -- truth be told, unless Deathspell Omega decide to surprise us all with a new release before the end of the year, Abgott has precious little competition for black metal standouts of 2006.