Artist: Abominator
Country: Australia
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Formats: LP / Cassette Tape / CD
Year: 2025
After what seemed like taking forever, Abominator, one of the unsung heroes of Australian wild musical barbarism, is finally back. Again, the Aussies needed a full decade to come up with a new record, just like the previous one, bringing the body count at two albums in twenty years. Not quite prolific, indeed, and perhaps one of the reasons why the band is not mentioned that often when discussions about the revered Australian Black/Death Metal tradition arise. But, there’s more than just Sadistik Exekution and Deströyer 666. Much more…
Although the band has been “away” for a full decade, you can just rest assured: IF they’ll come back, it will be just as good an album as any of their previous output. Abominator is not the kind of band that strays from its path, neither musically nor in their old school, full throttle approach to Extreme Metal. And if you needed any reassurance after all, seeing the Hells Headbangers Records logo on the back of the record should wash away all the last bits of doubt.
‘The Fire Brethren’ quite clearly is yet another glorious record that feeds on the aforementioned Australian tradition of wild and relentless pummelling. As if Morbid Angel was played on 45 RPM or gotten into the blender with Terrorizer’s ‘World Downfall’. It’s firmly built on the Death Metal fundamentals, but is slightly less heavy in the guitar department compared to its predecessor. Obviously, that makes ‘The Fire Brethren’ feel like a way sharper sounding record, emphasizing the band’s Black Metal side. Other than this, which is already merely a marginal difference, Abominator just delivers what you’ve come to expect. It is all about controlled chaos and break-neck speed, Australian barbarism at its best. “Best”, also in quite a literal way, as with each of their albums, the band seems to take another step up in terms of getting their formula tightened and more effective.
With a relentless and merciless way of going for the throat, kind of reminiscent of early Krisiun, the majority of ‘The Fire Brethren’ might feel a bit flat or one-dimensional for the unsuspecting listener. Yet, for the fans of the earlier Abominator work or those who share an overall penchant for this sort of music, this is another top contender for album of the year in 2025. The moments may be few and far between, but when Abominator shows up, you are surely treated on something. Nothing surprising perhaps, but still surprisingly good. Ruthlessly good!
