Abbath – Outstrider

Black metal is a style

The music genre black metal is defined as extreme metal music which has fast musical tempos and shrieking vocal styles. Bergen, Norway’s black metal band Abbath exemplify that type of music in their second full-length album titled Outstrider. The album is released four years after the band’s first full-length album titled Abbath, and the former Immortal singer and guitarist Abbath Occulta, lead guitarist Ole Andre Fartstad, bass guitarist Mia Wallace and drummer Ukri Suvilehto bring a dark and unique sound to the new album.

Outstrider is filled with promising and erratic black metal as Occulta’s vocals are able to shriek and use higher and lower vocal ranges on the album. Farstad’s guitar impacts the record because of the electrifying riffs he provides contributes to the heavy sounds fans want to hear, Wallace’s bass guitar skills are impressive because she is able to create low riffs which do blend in with the guitar sounds  and Suvilehto’s drumming fills the record with powerful drum beats being played on a faster pace for each song. This record shows how Occulta wants to stay relevant in the metal scene for years to come and fans should not be discouraged with how the album sounds because it provides the head banging black metal music they yearn for.

On the album, there is a song titled “Calm in Ire (Of Hurricane)” and the reason why this song is worth mentioning is that it introduces the listeners to the album in a unique way. Unlike the rest of the songs, this track is a unique one because it draws listeners in by hearing the sound of a storm brewing before the band starts playing. The sound of the guitar can be heard strumming along in a mystical tune before Farstad switches to a heavier guitar tune. Wallace’s bass guitar hums quietly in the background as she plays a heavy tune, Suvilehto’s drumming is on key with each high energy drum beat and Occulta’s talented vocals are low and grungy. He sings in smaller pitches and his shrieks can be heard with a lower tone and the sound of his vocal provides the listeners with how dark the meaning of the song is. This song introduces the listeners to what lies ahead in the album and fans will enjoy this song.

Another song which provides great metal energy is called “Land of Khem” and the reason why it is of note is how well the band plays on this track. The lead guitar kicks the song off with a powerful guitar sound and Farstad has killer mini guitar solos which can give fans the urge to go crazy while listening. The bass guitar can be heard blaring low rumbles with energy while the drumming fills the song with crazy drum beats that will leave fans with a smile on their faces. The vocal style by Occulta is staying in tune with the music by harmonizing in a low grungy voice and his shrieks are capable of matching the tune the band is playing. If fans are looking for a song which can cause them to headbang to the music, then this song will surely let them do so with a big smile on their faces.

The “Pace Till Death” is another song of quality. If listeners want to catch the tune of the song, they need to listen carefully because each band member plays the same tune at a faster pace at the beginning and in the middle of the song, Wallace’s bass guitar can be heard playing lower tune at a faster pace, Farstad’s guitar skilled are wild because he is capable of playing erratically without missing a tune and his solos provides musical power on the track, Suvilehto’s drumming is out of this world and full of non stop energy and Occulta’s vocals are non stop grunge which also provides a touch of the energy in the song.  If fans want to hear a high energy song to dance crazy to, then they should look no further because this song will provide the energy they want to feel.

This album brings creativity to the table by playing a different style of metal music and their fans will appreciate this record because the band is promising them powerful and energetic black metal music.