SHIFTING.NEGATIVE

Aborym is an industrial/experimental metal band formed in Taranto (Italy) in 1992 and based in Rome. Founder and frontman Fabban has always been there, but the rest of the line-up has been fluid at times, and there is no difference with the follow-up to 2013's 'Dirty' recorded with another new line-up, plus a host of guests. Joining Fabban this time is multi-instrumentalist Dan V, bassist and guitarist RG Narchost, guitarist Davide Tiso (ex-Ephel Duath, Gospel Of The Witches), and keyboardist Stefano Angiulli. Then there are the guests, with guitarist Sin Quirin (Ministry), Ricktor (The Electric Hellfire Club), Pier Marzano (Koza Noztra), drummer Andrea Mazzucca, vocalists Victor Love (Dope Stars Inc., Victor Love), Cain Cressall (The Amenta) and Nicola Favaretto N-ikonoclast. Further there's Greg Watkins (Static of Masses, Order Sixty-Six) and Luciano Lamanna on modular synths, Kelly Bogues (Zogthorgven) delivering additional ambient noise, Joel Gilardini (The Land Of The Snow, Mulo Muto, Black Machineries) on additional treated guitars, electronics & (D)ronin, Ben Hall (Silent Eretic) on power-electronics and Tor Helge Skei (Manes) on ambient-electronics! Phew!

, with that many people involved it is either going to be a triumph or a disaster, and I am so happy to report that it is the former! This is one of those albums that in many ways defies categorisation, as while the label describes it as industrial experimental metal, it would also fit happily within the genres of black metal and progressive rock. There is a lot going on here, and while there are nods to bands like Throbbing Gristle, there is also Ephel Duath, Katatonia and The Axis of Perdition among others, with possibly just the odd hint of Anaal Nathrakh. To say that it contains atmosphere and depth is something of an understatement: there is also menace, beauty, delicacy and a feeling that these guys have created a dark, misty world, where anything can happen, and probably will. It is the cold murky streets of an abandoned industrial estate at night, after a nuclear holocaust. It is hard to describe in so many ways, as the layers of keyboards and guitars combine create something that is an intense wall of sound that is full of threat and lack of hope.

have been fortunate to hear a few of Aborym's albums over the years, and this is the best so far.