Review Summary: Aborted deliver an outstanding sophomore effort that combines ceaseless brutality with catchy riffs to provide a crisp sound that is enjoyable from start to finish.
Welcome to Aborted, a gore soaked brew of brutality and unrelenting aggression that is unmatched in today's death metal scene. A band so devoid of emotion that they even have an album aptly named "Goremageddon: The Saw and the Carnage Done", which I might add, is believed by many to be their best release to date. I disagree with this claim, mainly because Goremageddon lacks the variety and consistency that "Engineering the Dead" does and get's tiresome after a few listens. Many people seem to ignore this album entirely for some reason and it's getting to me. So here we go, all aboard the Engineering the Dead train, straight down to hell.
Aborted is:
Niek - Guitar
Koen - Bass
Thijs - Lead Guitar
Frank - Drums
Sven - Vocals
A lot of Brutal Death Metal seems to lack something all great music does, catchy songs. listen to any "BDM" band today and you will find that every riff, every drum fill, and every vocal performance fails to vary between each song and it ultimately becomes a chore to listen to. Aborted do well to avoid this trend. Aborted does an excellent job on Engineering The Dead in terms of making the listener interested in each track. Every song on the album contains at least one catchy riff that will be stuck in your head for days. You will tend to hear a fast tremolo picked riff with speedy drumming in the background, then seconds later tune into a gut wrenching breakdown that physically translates into an over sized sledgehammer smashing your face in repeatedly.
Engineering the Dead features one of the most prominent vocalists today. Sven has a lot of range, and displays it quite well here. Whether it's the low, guttural growl at the beginning of a new riff, the tortured screeches out of nowhere, or the impressive mid range ability that is quite noticeable throughout, Sven really goes all out. The lyrics tend to deal with your standard Aborted fare; Dead corpses, zombies, fermenting organs, serial killers, you name it. Though the lyrics aren't anything special, they fit the Aborted style quite well in the long run. The Drumming is definitely something worth highlighting here. Frank showcases his furious blast beats which seem inhuman at times, as well as great double bass work. Frank even manages to throw in some old school thrash drumming during certain parts and it sounds amazing. Niek and Thijs are a great duo and have written some of the best riffs I've ever heard on this album. There styles range from anything to thrash, sludge, a hint of black metal, and of course an absolute deliverance of perfected death metal.
Aborted have really hit the mark with this release. Engineering the Dead is a great listen that never gets old, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Though the new material from Aborted is somewhat of a disappointment, you can always come back to this and revel in it's bloody, maggot infested glory.
Standout tracks:
Engineering the Dead
The Holocaust Incarnate
To Roast and Grind
Exhuming the Infested
