Album Review: Elimination - Echoes Of The Abyss
Reviewed by Paul Hautchings
Whilst the British thrash scene becomes more crowded every day, there is always room for a band of the quality of Suffolk old school beasts Elimination whose third album, ‘Echoes of the Abyss’ is strong enough to elevate them through the divisions to the premier league.
Having returned after their four-year hiatus in 2017, the band led by founder Neil Stevens and joined by David Hill and Leigh Rumsby fired the first warning shots with their 2020 EP ‘Of Gods and Beasts’ which certainly got the attention of those still wearing cut offs and hi-tops.
If that was a tantalising tease at what was to come, then the final result is certainly worthy of the wait. ‘Echoes of the Abyss’ is a majestic thrash album with barely a flaw in the 42 minutes of rich music we receive.
Bookended by the albums two longest tracks, it maybe that the final song on the record is the most impressive piece on the album, for ‘Infernal’ is something a bit special. That’s not to say that the music in the sandwich is any worse for this is a stick of thrash rock with the word quality running right through its core.
The passion and energy of this trio is evident in the opening ‘Disciples of the Beast’, a six-minute blast of savagery that is barely restrained, the muscular riffs and snarling vocal delivery pushing hard against the bars of the cage that struggles to contain it. Eventually you know that Elimination’s blend of visceral thrash and the underlying melodies will break through, unleashing a ferocious aural assault. Taylor’s vocals contain a guttural delivery that won’t appeal to everyone, but the gravel-soaked style matches with the malevolence that swirls around the band; it’s a cyclone of musical chaos that fits perfectly.
As the album progresses, it's evident how much time and care has been poured in ‘Echoes of the Abyss’. There isn’t an ounce of fat here, it's stripped back to the basics and is leaner and more combative as a result. ‘Black Wings’ doesn’t do anything magically different to other bands, but the screaming guitar work which soars alongside the thunderous bass is sweeter than a toddler with an ice cream. The ability of Elimination to rage in extremis whilst also throwing in a melodic feel is impressive.
There’s a pleasing brutality which bubbles under the surface of every track here. ‘This is War’ demands you bang your head, stomp around the room and I can’t wait to catch this live soon. It’s got a riff to die for. Then there’s the change in power and feel of penultimate track ‘Blind Leading the Blind’, which is groovier that a groovy thing stuck in a groove; hell, it’s almost a track you can dance to … but at your own expense and risk of course.
And that leads to that monster conclusion. ‘Infernal’ is a gargantuan song. It broods, smouldering with the promise of all hell breaking loose, yet restrained for the first few minutes, with some blisteringly sweet guitar work. Three minutes in and oh yes, the rage begins as the tempo increases and the riffs drive the track forward. This is a track of epic proportions, like Godzilla rising from the sea, whilst all around is chaos. If you can resist
the urge to move to this, you need to call 999 as there must be no pulse working. A further change in tempo temporarily cools the engines but you feel there must be one more blast to come. Anticipation lingers as dual guitar harmonies play out, the sinews twitch and then it explodes for a massive finale that brings a stellar album to a dramatic and majestic close.
Check out our interview with Elimination at Bloodstock here.
