Grindcore is a genre that potentially vicious, political and uncompromising, yet also humorous, satirical and lighthearted. Grindcore spawned from hardcore punk in the early 1980s, thus, it is no surprise that the subgenre can be serious or comical depending on the band. Italian quartet Abbinormal lean slightly more on the humorous side with its third release Italia’s Gore Talent. The thirteen tracks on Talent incorporate death metal, groove and a pinch of djent to spice things up. Album opener “Instant Karma” hit the listener with pummeling blast beats and throat ripping vocals. Things slow to a rolling groove during the midsection before concluding in brutal fashion. “Third Man Syndrome” has a grooving riff over some double drums before the band switches gears and speeds things up. There are several rhythm changes during the track’s two minutes as the band transitions from groove to thrash to grindcore. “Violencia” is a short song that is well, “violent”. Vocalist Eric sounds like latter day Chris Barnes during the breakdown, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. “The Invisible Overpopulation” has a dissonant, post-punk introduction with its fuzzy, psychedelic guitar opening that shifts towards a hardcore/power violence riff.
“Hippopotamus” was aptly picked as a single with its grind meets groove structure. It is the most accessible track on the record, and will definitely get a crowd moving at a show. “AcidDisease” shows the band flirting with doom with its foreboding guitar introduction and droning, clean vocals. Abbinormal are not content with playing slow and put on a total grindfest for most of the song. “Goat Save The Dirt” is notable for a twisting riff over a sick drum pattern that changes directions several times. There is even a serene piano section during the breakdown that somehow fits the song. “The Lonely Funeral” opens with a mournful choir and funeral bells joined by a moody bass line and clean guitars. Then, the band briefly goes into grind mode before playing a rolling, staccato like breakdown.
Italia’s Gore Talent is a record with a few surprises. A track will be straight heavy, and then a piano sample will throw you off, but things never get too awkward. The songs can get a little clunky with the transitions from slow to fast. However, you can tell the band is having fun experimenting with things. The production is fine, particularly the guitar tone which can smash one’s ear drums.
Abbinormal showcase its talent on Italia’s Gore Talent. It does not entirely reinvent the wheel, but it is a fun record that should appease fans of grindcore, or extreme metal in general. The band is carving its niche. A fun, gory one.
Check out the band’s page for news and tour dates: https://www.facebook.com/abbinormalband/
