Abest‘s latest album, “Molten Husk,” serves as a powerful follow-up to their critically acclaimed “Bonds of Euphoria” LP. With this release, the band pushes the boundaries of contemporary post-metal, showcasing their most forward-thinking work yet. Perhaps post-metal comes to mind first, but “Molten Husk” embraces some of the finest properties borrowed from other complementary music genres, such as sludge, mathcore, post-hardcore, progressive metal, etc. Abest never cease to amaze. From the bone-crushing introductory piece, Through The Veins, to the chaotic closure Obliteration, this band displays brilliant ideas distilled through exceptional musicianship. Tracks like Narrative Substracted, The Twitched Veil, Molten Husk, and Rendition Of Truth define what Abest are all about. It also seems like every next composition sounds more aggressive, heavier, and complex. Of course, the remainder of the album is equally good, with numbers like Bulging Aversion, Through The Concrete, and Into A Mirrored Hall being standouts on this record.
Every band member plays a significant role in creating a rich and luxurious landscape, but let’s not forget the contributions from Jan Oberg (known for his work with Downfall Of Gaia and Deathrite), who recorded this post-metal masterpiece. The album also features contributions from Denise (Tuliips), Lars (Sun Worship, Ultha), and Yannick (Farson). One of the remarkable aspects of “Molten Husk” is Abest’s ability to blend all the aforementioned music genres and shape a unique listening experience that exceeds all expectations. All the complex leads, scales, melodies, harmonies, bone-crushing riffs, and other guitar virtuosities, backed by equally detailed basslines and enormously intense drumming performance built upon hectic beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics, construct the bright sonic imagery capable of tearing everything in the broad radius. The lead vocal performance is on an entirely new level, delivering obscure growls, screams, shouts, and other aggressive singing forms that emphasize all these instrumentations.
The production quality on “Molten Husk” is top-notch, thanks to Jan Oberg’s recording expertise. Each instrument is captured with clarity and precision, allowing the heaviness of the riffs to hit with maximum impact. Throughout “Molten Husk,” Abest displays a level of musical maturity and creativity that is truly impressive. They have crafted a comprehensive collection of songs that captivate the listener from start to finish. The constant progression and evolution within each track, as well as the cohesive flow from one track to another, contribute to the album’s strength as a whole. “Molten Husk” is a remarkable piece. It showcases the band’s ability to break through the barriers of contemporary post-metal, incorporating influences from different genres and pushing the boundaries of their sound. With its most forward-thinking and diverse offering yet, Abest continues to solidify its place as a force to be reckoned with in the metal and hardcore scene. The album is available on digipak CD and vinyl via Moment Of Collapse Records.
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