Abhorrence - Completely Vulgar (2012)

Back in the day (I'm talking 12 years ago in this case) I used to spend a lot of time randomly downloading mp3s from file sharing hubs like Napster and Audio Galaxy, generally just searching by genre or band. It must have been a general search for death metal, but somehow I ended up with Abhorrence's 1990 demo tape, 'Vulgar Necrolatry' on my computer. A lot of these files eventually made there way onto various genre specific CDr's, which were then played either on my computer or my walkmen, which had abilities to play data CDrs. I don't suppose it was too long afterwards, but I have this memory of being at the gym lifting when the song 'Pleasures of Putrid Flesh' randomly exploded into my ears and not knowing what the hell it even was I listened with greater detail. That was my introduction to Finnish death metal legends, Abhorrence, but the legacy goes further back then that.

Formed in the suburbs of Vantaa in 1989, Abhorrence along with Funebre, Disgrace and Xysma were the very first death metal bands to emerge out of Finland. Abhorrence lasted exactly a year and in 1990 the band released both the 'Vulgar Necrolatry' demo tape and the 'Abhorrence' 7" EP before calling it quits and sort of transforming into Amorphis. These young Finns (just 16-17 years old each) set out to create something different from the much acclaimed though still young scenes in Sweden and Florida, USA, by unleashing a much darker, heavier and fierce sound that was really unheard of at the time.

'Completely Vulgar' gathers together everything Abhorrence released during their short lifespae. Personally I went with the double LP version of this release since these ancient relics just seemed more appropriate on vinyl than CD. The first thing to point out is that the packaging done by Svart Records is simply immaculate. It comes in a gatefold vinyl with slots on the sides for both LPs as well as a large booklet, which has various old photos, artwork,gig flyers as well as commentary from each member of the band. Its incredibly interesting hearing the members talk about the old days; about tape trading, gigs, recording, writing, the developing death metal scene, bands they knew and played with, the parties and more than one member made it a point to mention that both Dead and Euronymous (of Mayhem) were complete psychos at the gig the band had in Norway with Cadaver and Darkthrone.

But what about the music of Abhorrence? As the gloomy ambiance of 'The Cult' emits from your speakers and that first grinding heavy riff of 'Pestilential Mists' is plucked you know your in for something special. Alternating between slower doom-ish vibes with seriously creepy undertones to stomping grindy death metal with occasional melodic touches its obvious Abhorrence were one of a kind. The music is raw and under produced with a heavily distorted chainsaw guitar sound and an uncanny sort of atmosphere that makes the 7" material feel like its drenched in fog. Amazingly the demo material is even fiercer and more barbaric in production and feeling. The vocals throughout both recordings are low guttural maniacal growls of fetid zombie stench unlike really anything else at the time, while the drums gallop and pound away mercilessly and ominous bass lingers somewhere underneath the soil.

The second LP (side C) contains six live cuts from a gig in Turku in 1990 with some of them being from the demo and 7" while two of songs were unrecorded at the time. The material here is somewhat typically bootleg-ish in quality with voices being heard amongst the crowd members, but it would seem enough studio work was done to clean it up and make it enjoyable. The final LP (side D) contains the unreleased (though somehow leaked) 'Macabre Masquerade' rehearsal as well as additionally material from a jam session in '90. The songs here are somewhat more fierce in their delivery and just show how hungry these guys were to be apart of something special, but again were talking very under produced stuff, which may not appeal to just everyone. Also note that the additional rehearsal material is only available on the LP version of this release.

Curiously after Abhorrence's breakup only two of the members went onto bigger and better band related adventures. Jussi "Juice" Ahlroth is nowadays a culture journalist of the largest subscription newspaper of Finland, while Mika "Arkki" Arnkil is with Impaled Nazarene and of course Tomi Koivusaari has had an enormous career with Amorphis. Kalle Mattsson, Kimmo Heikkinen and Jukka Kolehmainen have been quiet, though Jukka did perform vocals on Stench of Decay's cover of 'Vulgar Necrolatry' in 2009.

Speculations of all sorts could be made on what might have happened if Abhorrence had stuck it out and recorded a full album, but in a way Amorphis' 'The Karelian Isthmus' & 'Privilege of Evil' partially give that answer, even if only one Abhorrence member was involved with them.

Abhorrence has been resting in peace for twenty two years now, but its great that these Finnish death metal antiquities have finally been unleashed again for younger audiences to enjoy as well for yours truly to finally have a physical medium of Abhorrence material. Rot in peace.