Death Metal lives stronger thanks to Horoh.
Created by French multi-instrumentalist J. (1789, Invicta Miseria, Mortiga, Tattva, ex-Infero Lasta), the project unveiled its first independent EP in 2021, then teamed up with the Crypt of Dr. Gore label to announce Aberration, its debut album.
Everything about this record smacks of Old School, from the sound to the gory artwork by Seb Mocky and the label, which was originally a webzine. The musician delivers nine tracks of blasts, catchy patterns, fat riffs and cavernous screams, barely less than half an hour of 90s tones. The more seasoned listeners will soon recognize the album’s inspirations, which are drawn from both the American scene and the Warhammer universe, since Aberration evokes the Skavens. For example, there are slower heavier parts on Gory Rampage, a short opening track that creates a heady groove, before Death Tale reveals slightly darker sounds that fit perfectly with the very steady approach coupled with chaotic leads. Guru’s Legacy offers a more energetic rhythm, which the musician doesn’t hesitate to burden from time to time, before Slaves of Suffering once again demonstrates its effectiveness with livelier elements. Aggression barely subsides on the haunting harmonics that lead into Survivors, where the sound quickly becomes suffocating between the oppressive strikes, then it’s in the company of Seb Mocky on vocals that J. openly abandons himself to savagery on Devour the Saviour and its frantic rhythm covered with blasts, then a few morbid growls. We return to a slower pace with Vermine’s Feast, dipping into Death/Doom roots while flooding us with hypnotic lead parts towards the end, while Devastation places jerky riffs to accompany furious vocal eruptions. The album comes to a close with Aberration, which indulges in a few mystical samples at the beginning and end of the track, framing the sheer violence.
With Aberration, Horoh pays tribute to the 90’s American Death Metal, whether Brutal or Doom-tinged. The album is a bit short, but it’s easy to listen to it, and offers several aspects of mastered violence!
75/100