By: Eeli Helin
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released:
03/05/19
Label: Agonia
Records
”Abiogenesis – A Coming Into Existence” CD//DD//LP track
listing:
1.
Insanity
2.
Mauled
3.
Autopsied Alive
4.
Spastic Regurgitation
5.
Bleed As Me
6.
Mind Asulym
7.
Infestation
8.
Murder
9.
Lethal Manipulation (The Bonecrusher Chronicles)
10.
Sociocide
11.
Manimal Instincts
12.
Inner Reflections (The Pain From Within)
The Review:
I
was excited to the point of being overwhelmed when the extreme tech-metal gods Origin
announced "Abiogenesis - A Coming Into Existence", a retrospective
anniversary release that includes eight previously unreleased, re-worked tracks
and their first EP, getting a worldwide release for the first time. While the
inclusion of the extended play is a nice touch, I'm pretty certain that the
most fascinating part of this release are the pre-Origin era tracks. The tracks
initially composed under the monikers of Necrotomy and Thee Abomination in 1990-1993,
were recorded and performed solely by the founding member and mastermind Paul
Ryan during 2013-2018.
The
two leading single cuts "Mind
Asylum" and "Infestation "
promised much. It shouldn't be a surprise that both songs sound like they
could've been on the first few Origin albums, but with a production that's
way clearer and perhaps up to par with the sound they have today. At times,
it's also hard to believe that the performances on these tracks were indeed
executed by only one person, since the listener can so easily imagine the songs
being a product of a full band and more than a single composer. Speaking of
performance and compositions, the tracks are definitely more straightforward
than their later doings, yet that doesn't lessen the sheer impact of throat
cutting precision and punishing rage that's constantly present. These tracks
certainly amped up the anticipation for the rest of the release.
However,
apart from these two tracks, "Abiogenesis" fell short on few
fields; Firstly, some of the tracks feel a bit unfinished (granted, they're
recreated thirty years old demo songs after all) and secondly, the band stepped
into a major pothole by releasing the best two tracks beforehand. The latter
point of view can be discussed and debated endlessly, but personally I prefer
the pre-released tracks to be the agitators and the full release to be the
hangman. Anyway, it took a few listens to get a better grasp of the album as a
whole, and to find more depth in it. Disappointment might be too strong word to
use here, but I noticed I had too big expectations considering the nature of
the release. It should also be pointed out more strongly that while "Abiogenesis"
is released under the Origin name, it's not an Origin album per se, but a
special, anniversary release that's mainly meant to expand their discography to
previously unheard material, which in itself honestly is interesting enough to
justify the whole release.
Despite
the aberrations mentioned earlier, if you like Origin, you'll most likely enjoy
this too. Perhaps not right away, but you will. Besides the aforementioned
singles, tracks like "Mauled"
and "Murderer" are
guaranteed to give you shivers, stupid grins and scratch the itch of getting
new material. While these songs were initially composed almost three decades
ago, they do have that certain feel and vigour in them that later on shaped Origin
to be the band we all know today. "Abiogenesis" works as a whole
but requires your full attention, blink and you’ll miss it.
The
latter part of the release is the remastered version of their first EP "A
Coming Into Existence". If you've ever listened to the band,
you've more than likely listened to this EP as well. There's really nothing
particularly fresh or new to say about it, so I won't be blabbering about it
longer than necessary. "A Coming Into Existence" was
the grand launch of this pioneering band and deserves to finally get a
worldwide physical release. The physical pressing is also a sight to behold, and
will not leave any collector cold.
Take
all of this as you may. My feelings about "Abiogenesis - A Coming Into
Existence" are more than twofold. The juvenile brilliance and the
insipid turns here and there create a bit of an oxymoronic feel to the release,
but that doesn't mean you couldn't enjoy the trip back to where it all begun. I
can't stress enough that this indeed is a free meal, so to speak, and you know
what they say about free food and complaining.
Band
info: facebook
