Aborted have enjoyed a seemingly meteoric rise in popularity in recent years. Though the band are veterans in the death metal scene, with their earliest demos dating back to the late ’90s, since their seventh offering, ‘Global Flatline’, was released in 2012 Aborted have become far more prominent in the metal spotlight and have gone from strength to strength. ‘The Necrotic Manifesto’ saw Aborted expand their sound from decent death-grind to something more refined, while still maintaining an unrelenting brutality. Last year’s ‘Retrogore’ took improved songwriting and musicianship to a whole new level, standing not only as (arguably) Aborted’s best album, but one of 2016’s best offerings as well.
Having only released their newest opus last year, it’s unlikely we will see a new Aborted full-length in the near future. However, fans of the Belgian gore-drenched riff-machine need not fret, as the band are releasing a 7″ single this summer, in support of the summer festival run. Featuring two brand new tracks, ‘Bathos’ promises to ensure metal fans across Europe have Aborted in their minds when it comes to deciding what bands to see and which ones to miss during festival scene.
Opening with the title track, “Bathos” wastes no time and immediately brings the atmosphere and absolute savagery Aborted are known for. The atmospheric and sinister sounding lead work perfectly complements the unbearably heavy grooves and earth-shattering drum work present across the whole track. Though still sounding perfectly Aborted, “Fallacious Crescendo” doesn’t bother itself with atmosphere, opting to focus more on speed and aural evisceration. The stronger of the two tracks, “Fallacious Crescendo” features some simply stunning lead guitar work, and is set to become a mid-set favourite and guaranteed pit-anthem, should the band play it live this summer.
Though, obviously, super short, ‘Bathos’ is an enticing slab of brutality that should keep fans interested and hyped while Aborted work on album number ten, and continue to level venues across Europe. In keeping with the vibe and sound the band perfected with ‘Retrogore’, “Bathos“ doesn’t really bring much new to the table – but both the title track and “Fallacious Crescendo” will become welcome additions to the Aborted live arsenal.