ALBUM REVIEW: In Blut – Abkehr
ABKEHR are a black metal band named for a German word used to refer to rejection, renunciation or departure. Knowing this, we can reasonably gleam that the music found on their new release In Blut, will likely be far from cheerful, even amongst their contemporaries. Formed somewhere in northern Germany in 2015 by mysterious pair H. and Raash, ABKEHR seek to fuse the raw misanthropic grimness of the Norwegian tradition with the swarming majesty of US black metal, infusing it with the mood and claustrophobic desperation of the depressive arm. This description promises a lot, and, if done correctly, this album could prove to be all things to all corpse-painted people. However, if care hasn’t been taken it could easily result in an overstretched, confused mess. Without further ado, let’s get amongst this black, putrid marsh and see what awaits…
Following the recent trend amongst the bleaker end of the blackened spectrum, we begin with I. The track opens with a creepy, morose introduction of strained guitar lines and rotten amplifier noise. A snare roll is introduced which builds tension into the main body of the track, which is largely made up of harsh beats, sharp riffing and faint, ghostly wails. It is overtly bleak from the outset but manages to remain an interesting listen by injecting slight hints of melody to lighten the edges of what would otherwise be an abject cauldron of misery.
Moving forward we find II, which is immediately moody but also twists the formula slightly, introducing splashy cymbal work and a focus on the muscular bass tone bubbling away just under the surface. The track is still utterly bleak but elevates the mood through little jazzy breaks bookending the more serious blast beat segments. It is oppressive and grandiose, with a perpetual suffocating atmosphere, reminiscent of LEVIATHAN. Frontman Raash delivers a tortured vocal performance on II, sounding genuinely tormented throughout and only adding to the torturous atmosphere of the black pit of despair this album is becoming.
III is once again a different beast. It begins with a pattern of cavernous, dramatic drumming, before a slow riff feeds in that is alarmingly reminiscent of BURZUM’s Dunkelheit. Despite the similarity, this is a much more enjoyable version of a slow marching riff accompanied by gnarled, distorted vocals. The mood is much more desolate here and only deepens as the track evolves, but its purpose is to deepen the depressive atmosphere in preparation for closer IV, where we will find absolution. It is almost definitely the fastest track on the album, with taut blast beats and riffs like razor-wire. After the rest of In Blut, this is the moment of catharsis, the punishing assault acting as a flagellant’s whip and purging the negative emotion that has been allowed to build up. This utter fury does eventually dissipate however, leaving behind a caustic riff complemented by technical and excellent drumwork. Even this proceeds to slip away until we are left with only the noise of an object being struck and our own ruminations on what we have just experienced.
With In Blut, ABKEHR seem to have achieved what they set out to do. It’s bleak but cathartic, serving to dredge up rough emotions but also to help purge them. It has a healthy lick of DSBM desperation to it but also a strong sense of the relentless individualism found in other corners of the black metal world. It’ll tear you down, but build you back up again, providing an excellent example as to why this style of music is so engaging. It is a truly miserable experience, but that far from precludes it from being deeply and thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating: 7/10
In Blut is out now via Vendetta Records.
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