This is the third album by US deathgrind band Abraded.
Containing an ex-member of Noxis, Abraded play festering death metal that’s been further filthened up by an injection of nasty grindcore. The 26 minutes of Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries is a brutal piece of work.
With the exception of the final song, only one other track here exceeds three minutes, and then only barely. Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries is focused, brutal, and merciless. Abraded deal in old-school deathgrind, and their business seems to be booming. There are some contemporary influences that can be heard here and there, (Compensatory Contrarianism carries a rhythmic Pig Destroyer vibe, for example), but mostly these tracks are rooted in the 80s and 90s.
Each of the songs is an eruption of violence and hostility, driven forth by blast beats and furious riffs. Abraded are wise enough to vary the pace though, sometimes dropping into a mid-paced bulldozer gear or ripping out a bouncy rhythm that’s sure to destroy in the live arena. On occasion we get something slow and crushing too, as Abraded are keen to not let any opportunity for sonic punishment to pass them by. Most of the material of fast and barbaric, but uses these sorts of dynamics to hold the listener’s interest as they are beaten around the head.
Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries is an enjoyable record that should find common cause with fans of bands such as Archagathus, Agathocles, Brutal Truth, Caustic Wound, Cripple Bastards, Earthburner, Extreme Noise Terror, Haemorrhage, Horrid Human Condition, Insect Warfare, Putrid Offal, etc.
Wonderbox Metal 