Band:	Abysmal Dawn
Album:	Obsolescence
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	October 24, 2014
A review by:	deadone

01. Human Obsolescence
02. Perfecting Slavery [feat. Christian Muenzner]
03. Inanimate
04. Devouring The Essence Of God [feat. Bobby Koelble]
05. One Percent Incomplete
06. Loathed In Life / Praised In Death
07. By My Demons
08. Laborem Liberat Te
09. The Inevitable Return To Darkness
10. Night's Blood [Dissection cover] [bonus]

Too often modern death metal bands seem content to imitate genre originators ala Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse or Deicide. Hence, it is refreshing to hear a band that plays traditional death metal and somehow manages to come across as reasonably unique. And, with Obsolescence, Abysmal Dawn do just that.

Sure, it's not mind blowing, it's certainly not innovative, and it's not even an awesome example of traditional death metal. Occasionally it does delve into clone territory with some sections harkening back to Bloodbath and Immolation, as well as occasionally delving into derivative technical death metal.

It is, however, a reasonably satisfying affair with lots of great chunky riffs. The song writing is proficient enough, and they occasionally come up with a real memorable song like "Inanimate." The band does display a bit of variety which keeps it interesting; they effortlessly go from almost Kataklysm-esque grooves to brutal blasts to mellow bits, and it's technical at times but not in an irritating or overblown way. To close the album off, there's a cover of Dissection's "Night Blood" which adds some melodic black metal elements in.

The mix is quite good. Too often modern death metal bands amp up the drums when compared to the guitars but Abysmal Dawn rightfully keeps the guitars up in the mix. The sound is also not sterile, another of this reviewer's pet peeves in the genre.

Charles Elliott does his best in showcasing that he should have been the next vocalist for Bloodbath as opposed to Nick Holmes. His voice is very much in the vein of Pete Tägtgren or Mikael Akerfeldt, and he would've fit in perfectly on Bloodbath's new one.

So in the end, Obsolescence is an enjoyable if unspectacular affair. It does show signs of potential greatness. Provided all their ducks come in a row, Abysmal Dawn could be coming up with a classic of their own next time around.