As time cycles and the early 1980’s become popular once again, it’s not only the flourescent tube socks and catfish gloves that have come back in style. Abysmal Lord have proved that those bands who founded the second wave of black metal hit upon a sound that would remain fresh for decades to come. On Disciples of the Inferno Abysmal Lord use musicianship, aggression and an unrelenting passion for black metal to create an album that is as fresh and instant as the sound they are drawing off of. Prepare yourself for the rituals of unyielding and unforgiving black metal blasting.

Listening to Abysmal Lord you would be hard pressed to determine whether Disciples of the Inferno was merely a re-issue of something released in the mid 80’s in the vein of Sarcófago or Blasphemy (the guy on the left is even wearing a Blasphemy shirt). The album is raw, angular and off-putting. Although, unlike their early second wave counterparts, Abysmal Lord are not afraid to write songs that frequently reach the four-minute mark—and do so without excessive interludes, samples or any other ambient techniques. Their songs are brutal from start to finish.

Interestingly, the boys in Abysmal Lord also happen to play in Grave Ritual (which just released an album we reviewed here). Their sister band is more of a blackened death metal outfit refusing to stay within the confines of any genre or to be narrowed by anything other than their own limitations (which are few). Quite contrarily, Abysmal Lord is a near replica of early second wave black metal (which certainly has hints of Death Metal). It’s refreshing to hear a sound the sound of fires that continue to burn almost thirty years after inception. Especially when the members have clearly done so by choice because we know, from their other work, that they are capable of expanding their horizons, talent and formula almost indefinitely.

Blast beats dominate Disciples of the Inferno. And if you’re wondering what style of blast beat, the answer is American (just like the country they are from). Drummer J.B. often employs an interesting technique using ride cymbal and snare rather than the hi-hat. This is used during what would be described as the more “blasty” sections of the tracks. During the more straightforward, bouncing parts, he resorts to the hi-hat and bangs out some pretty intoxicating rhythms. The blast beats are, further, quite halting and jarring. Never allowing the listener to become entirely comfortable.

When all is said and done, Abysmal Lord are a band that spared no one’s feelings on their debut.  Disciples of the Inferno is as solid a work as you will find in the genre. It’s an album that can rile up the urge to rob graves at literally any hour of the day—and I recommend doing so. Just remember to keep your headphones on or else you may wake the dead—which I do not recommend.

– Manny-O-War

Disciples of the Inferno is available 11.27.2015 via Hells Headbangers. For more information on Abysmal Lord check out their Facebook page.