Review Summary: ...Intercourse and Lust? Why not!
Abigail was formed in 1992 by bassist/vocalist Yasuyuki Suzuki, Youhei (drums) and Yasunori (guitar). This band undoubtedly is one among some notable Asian black/thrash acts which were mainly influenced by early style of Venom, Bathory, and Sodom. They only released a few demos and EPs within 1992 - 1996 interval, however, in 1996 (Japan market, 1997 respectively in other countries) finally Abigail released their full-length debut album entitled
Intercourse & Lust. Since then, Abigail have gained a respectable place from Japan metal scene, and then ploddingly their good reputation has been recognized by many Asian metal enthusiasts. Now, after 20 years when Yasuyuki and his friends formed this band, they always stay true with their early black/thrash concept, there is no such a radical musical change direction for these two decades interval.
Musically, the main characteristic of
Intercourse & Lust lies within its atmospheric and general feel of musical direction. In vocals part, Yasuyuki got his job well done, his vocals ability is above average, somewhat excellent, instead. His raspy, furious shrieking and snarling, high-pitched delivery, and even his eerie laughing nicely fitted their music concept. Yasuyuki obviously won't fail you; when you heard his vocals in entire album, soon you know that it is black metal due to its atmospheric feel. However, when guitarist Yasunori came to solo sections, the album mainly has a more thrash feel rather than usual thick-atmospheric nuance of black metal, but most of main riffs remain accommodated BM's “evillish” feel. Yasunory filled up solos in almost all songs, his style arguably is influenced by typical mid-80s thrash, especially Germany bands.
Intercourse & Lust clocks in at almost an hour of music. It begins with track
A Witch Named A Spilcuetta. This opening track is the fastest one along with
Strength Of Other World and another three-four pieces. Those two mentioned track-titles just now are pretty lengthy and relatively repetitive, but such a case is typical black metal - straying from conventional (mainstream) song composition or structure. Beside that, Abigail also seemed intentionally to manage to put into the album two mid-tempo tracks. To be honest, within an hour of music, if all tracks were done in typical fast-paced of
A Witch Named A Spilcuetta, the album as whole would be a bit boring, monotonous. Kudos for Abigail, they give the listeners a chance to have fun with the track such as
Attack With Spell. This is super catchy piece with a lot of thrashy and punky moments in it. Listening to this, you might feel its main riff a bit repetitive, but hey, as it ain't such a lengthy track, you'll enjoy it - it's quite a fun song! Then, track
Mephistopheles gives you a true feel of primitive black/thrash. Though it is not as fast as
A Witch Named A Spilcuetta, but it is still one of album's highlight. As epilogue,
Intercourse & Lust is perfectly closed by a 13-minutes track
Hail Yakuza. This track is adequately varied in composition, its tempo signature alternates between low to high execution. Moreover, Abigail also managed to put into the song Japanese spoken-word and monologue. Sometimes, it might sound like a Samurai-movie narration (conversation too), but all in all, it is indeed a solid and unique track.
Well, in context of global world, this album might be not groundbreaking, if you get used to listen to early 80s black/thrash. However, it is still one among some pretty decent (historical, maybe) Japanese black/thrash stuffs which were released in mid-90s. Its production quality is average; not so that raw, but also not so that polished. Vocals is solid, sometimes they also used a heavily distorted effect. Guitar riffs and solos are decent and memorable, despite not so that technical. Bass, in fast tracks, it would be hard to hear, but in mid-tempo song such as
Mephistopheles, it is pretty audible. The drumming was well done with full energy, fast, frantic sound of double-bass and blast-beats. As said before, this album is not groundbreaking, if your car is Honda, your favorite pornstar is Miyabi, why don't you try Abigail; who knows this band will be your favorite Japanese black/thrash band!
