throwback: Abolisher -- melodic progressive extreme metal from Chicago

Abolisher was a Chicago area, U.S. melodic progressive extreme metal band. Here is the song "Standing in a Different Light" from the 2001 recording Lament the Season.

Abolisher

Lament the Season

1. Ethereal Shadows 02:32

2. The Solemn Promise 10:16

3. Standing in a Different Light 05:42

4. A Stolen Season 13:17

total time 31:47

Metal Rules zine wrote back in 2001, in part: This Chicago, five-piece was nice enough to send me their demo and I’m glad they did because I really enjoy it. The music could be described as a sort of a gothic, doom-death kick-ass kinda thing….very cool. It has progressive elements that are innovative but don’t stray away from the core of metal. It’s not prog in the sense of Dream Theater with layers of keyboard solos but more progressive with the use of classical music elements. The thing I like about this CD is it does have a unique sound, it sounds like a few other bands that you can’t quite put your finger on which is good because you don’t want to wear your influences on your sleeve.

The musicians are very talented and have some excellent song-writing tricks. Check out the acoustic, flamenco part at the beginning of the 10+ minute song The Solemn Promise, again, very cool, reminded me a little of the way Conception used to fool around with that sound. Vocals are low and slightly gutteral without being inaccessible or inaudible. However, major complaint, they are waaay too far back in the mix. The singer Luis has a cool voice that could be a weapon in their arsenal but it is a secret weapon, hidden, not emphasized…yet. That will be easily overcome with the next demo or an external producer. The rest of the musicians seem very competent and the guitars has a nice melancholy drone or buzz at times only adding excellent atmosphere to already atmospheric song writing. A lot of emotion and fell went into the song-writing, nothing sterile or unimaginative here! The drummer and bassist keep it punchy on the tune Standing in A Different Light, which has a great Entombed death-rock vibe to it.

Abolisher - Standing in a Different Light

This publication cannot confirm the following from the website "Discodogs" but feel free to check it out for yourself and see: https://www.discogs.com/artist/1445678-Abolisher