Album Review: Aborted - La Grande Mascarade
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
This strictly limited EP to support their US tour with Napalm Death is now destined to become even more of a collector’s edition. If you are familiar with the death gore of Belgian death metal gods Aborted, these ferocious tracks will hopefully sate your appetite which will have been chewing away since 2018’s last full release, ‘TerrorVision’.
Produced by Kristian ‘Kohle’ Kholmannslehner, two new tracks and an unreleased song from the TerrorVision sessions explode with traditional ferocity. There is nothing subtle about this band although the complexity of their music is as astonishing as ever. Having reached their quarter century anniversary, there is no evidence that Aborted intend to slow down one iota. Founder Sven de Caluwe remains as gutturally committed as ever; his intense vitriol laced delivery rumbling the very bowels of hell. Opening song’ Gloom and the Art of Tribulation’ is explosive, the full gory splatter bursting with a brutality few can match. The machine drumming of Ken Bedene continues to astound, such is the rapidity and focus of his delivery. Visceral, malevolent and sheer face melting, the pace continues with ‘Serpent of Depravity’. It’s extreme, almost primeval in intent and delivery. The duel guitars of Ian Jekelis and new member Harrison Patuto cut with razor sharp accuracy. As expected, Aborted have enlisted Mitchell Nolte to provide the breath taking artwork.
The tour may not have gone ahead, but this is a feisty reminder that Aborted, ten albums and 25 years on, are still the masters of their craft.
La Grande Mascarde is released by Napalm Records on 17th April
