ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA — Abstrakt Algebra (review)

ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA — Abstrakt Algebra album cover Album · 1995 · Doom Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"Abstrakt Algebra" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by Swedish power metal act Abstrakt Algebra. The album was released through Megarock Records in April 1995. Abstrakt Algebra was formed in 1994 by bassist Leif Edling after Candlemass disbanded and it was a relatively shortlived project which ended in 1997 when Candlemass reunited. Besides this debut album and a 1994 demo, Abstrakt Algebra didn´t release anything else in their original run, but the band actually did record a second album, which wasn´t released because they weren´t happy with the result. Some of the material from those sessions were re-recorded for Candlemass comeback album "Dactylis Glomerata (1998)".

Stylistically the material on "Abstrakt Algebra" is a heavy type of power metal with occasional progressive metal leanings (the 15:21 minutes long closing track "Who What Where When" and the title track are examples of the more progressive side of the band´s music). Lead vocalist Mats Levén has a strong voice and a commanding raw delivery (think a slightly less raw sounding Russel Allen) and the music features heavy and mid-paced riffs, melodic guitar solos, atmospheric keyboards, and a heavy and solid pounding rhythm section. Some of the riffs scream to the listener that they were written by Edling ("April Clouds" is for example a full-blown doom metal track), but this is not a continuation of Candlemass, and it´s obvious Edling had another mindset when writing material for Abstrakt Algebra and also quite a few songwriting ideas he wanted to try which would probably never have made it unto a Candlemass release.

The material and the musical performances are generally of a good quality, but I´m not overwhelmed by the catchiness and memorability of the tracks. It´s solid and enjoyable enough while it plays but "Abstrakt Algebra" is not an album I remember long after it has stopped playing. The musicianship is one of greatest assets of the album and addition to the above mentioned Levén, I´d like to mention that guitarist Mike Wead (Hexenhaus, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond) is also involved in the project (although this is not his most shining moment), but the musicianship is high on all posts. "Abstrakt Algebra" also features a powerful and detailed sound production, which suits the material well and upon conclusion it´s a solid release. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.
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