CoC : Abgott - Godfather in Black : Review

Abgott - _Godfather in Black _
(Helvete and Hate, 2009)
by: Charlotte Beskeen (8 out of 10)

It is virtually impossible to chart the continuous splicing and dicing of black metal without passing a nod to Don Cazzetta and his blackened cohorts. Always hugely respected for their perfect balance of technicality, progressiveness and skin flaying barbarity, Abgott funnel further down the progressive black metal cannon on third release _Godfather in Black_. The band's move to brooding English climes has stipulated an unexpected lyrical and thematic direction away from Lovecraftian matter and towards the huge capacity for evil inside the individual, a theme which is encapsulated in the Faustian image of "the godfather". It's all too easy to consider this a mere stepping stone away from the exploration of Prometheus foretold in Emperor's _Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise_, but be warned: here, maniacal intent is stripped bare lyrically and musically.

The technicality deepens hugely on this release; skimming guitar solos in the vein of Emperor's _Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk_ are etched over relentless, scorching riffage. Glimmers of King Diamond leap playfully into numbers such as "Obscure Renaissance" and "Shining Insomniac", and -- wait for it -- old-school thrash a la Sodom leers through in "Sentenced to Suffer". All of this is drawn artfully together by the pull of a diabolical black heart, pummeling barrage and a noticeable improvement in production. The addition of accomplished bassist Graves (ex-December Moon, Belphegor) to the mob adds a further degree of diversity to the onslaught. Agamoth gives a fair few tantalizing licks of guitar solo, which is more impressive than his slightly staged Abbath Doom Occulta growl.

_Godfather in Black_ is the sound of a band reaching their potent peak, and for more lucid imaginations is also the sound of a blood drunk Marlon Brando murdering clergymen and razing the catholic institutions of Rome under the heady glow of a full moon. Delicious.

Contact: http://www.abgott.co.uk

(article published 8/9/2009)

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