Abaton
Hecate

The Abaton is a band from Forlì active for less than two years, which, with the support of the local label Lo-Fi Creatures, reached the publication of their debut album in 2011, namely "Hecate," an album that with its scarce 30 minutes would find a more fitting dimension in the form of an EP rather than a full-length.

Describing Abaton's music is easier than it might seem at first listen; it is essentially a mix between Post Hardcore and Sludge in perfect US style, a popular sound crossover in recent years that has brought success to many groups, foremost among them The Secret. A necessary note is that the album is widely advertised by the label and the band itself as Black/Doom, but to even a minimally attentive ear, this description seems totally erroneous, if not almost deceitful, since nothing of this sort is found in Abaton's sound and conceptual imagery. It was probably an astute marketing ploy to place the band within an easier scene (if we can call it that) consequently increasing public interest; however, I don't think many listeners will be deceived by a simple label.

Marketing tricks aside, "Hecate" is an album that opens decently with two tracks like "My Helvete" and "Nia," which with a mix of well-conceived riffs and a decently intertwined rhythm, manage to be quite engaging. Beyond this first threshold, the album falls into a jumble of dull and bland tracks that lead nowhere, with interminable introductions and an immature and approximate composition. "Hecate" concludes with "Metamorphosis," a track chosen by them as a driving force but is probably the most insignificant of the entire album, anonymous and not at all compelling, with Dorian Bones' guest vocal appearance (vocalist in Carone, Whiskey Ritual, and owner of Abaton's label) doing nothing more than adding an anonymous vocal line to those already present from the band's two vocalists, who themselves don't stand out. Another sore point is the excessively reverberated production that, although effective in slow and cadenced parts, creates an undefined mash in all the more furious and fast-paced sections.

In conclusion, "Hecate" is an album that reveals some good ideas but highlights how the Abaton are not yet capable of creating work mature and complete enough to be interesting.

Postponed to the next release.