Archives of the Dead part XXXIII – Abhorrence - Ascension... / Triumph in Blasphemy

Archives of the Dead part XXXIII – Abhorrence - Ascension... / Triumph in Blasphemy (Demos 1997 / 99) 

Line up: Rangel Arroyo (vocals, guitars), Kleber Varnier (bass), Fernando Arroyo (drums) 

"Ascension..." was recorded at Da Tribo Studio in Sao Paulo November 1997. 

“Triumph in Blasphemy”, has no recording info available. 

Brazilian death metal scene is filled with bands, which are real nut-crackers – most barbaric, vicious and insanely merciless acts, which crush with their intense and blasting, brutal metal of death. Abhorrence would definitely be among the best ones and those, which I recommend the most, despite the fact that they split up already a decade ago and had only one album "Evoking the Abomination" in discography. But they also unleashed their death plague on some shorter releases, among which there's "Ascension..." demo from 1997 and “Triumph in Blasphemy” demo from 1999. Each of them contains three songs and is about ten minutes long, so these demos are no very long, but the intensity and aggression of theirs are enough to give you a nice, powerful kick in face. 

Obviously, if we speak of Brazilian death metal, then we all have in minds their most ferocious and blasphemous stuff, which came from acts such as Krisiun, Nephasth or Rebaelliun. Abhorrence definitely is in the same category of death metal bestiality. Their stuff is fast, very brutal and kind of evil sounding, uncompromising and vicious, so do not expect to hear even a bit of melodic parts or more memorable music. Obviously, the real influence of Abhorrence music would be in classic Slayer, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Vital Remains and this sort of bands. But these Abhorrence, just like some of other Brazilian bands, which I mentioned earlier, managed to perform it in their own way, which is even more bestial and blasphemous. Luckily, these two demos are not a constant blast beat show off, it is more diverse, with few mid paced or slower parts, so I think their music is much more interesting that Krisiun’s, for instance.  

If I was going to compare these two demos, then “Triumph in Blasphemy” is definitely faster and more intense, it’s really sick stuff, and I could notice great improvement in the songwriting, ideas they had and most of all, the performance, which is tighter and more precise. Especially the drumming is faster. The production on both demos is very raw, especially on the "Ascension..." demo, but it underlines that barbaric character of Abhorrence music perfectly, in my opinion. 

All in all, I think this is great, savage death metal and certainly Abhorrence belonged to the best bands from Brazil. "Ascension..." demo was released on CD by Wild Rags Records, but it goes now for silly money, the MC version also. “Triumph in Blasphemy” came out on the split CD with other Brazilian commandos, Nephasth / Mental Horror / Ophiolatry, so this one is easier and cheaper to get. But it would be wise to re-release both these recordings anyway, as they’re worth it. 

Verdict: 80/100