Black Abyss
Angels Wear Black

Released in 2004, a full four years after "Land Of Darkness," the third full length by the German band Black Abyss is without a shadow of a doubt a step forward compared to the previous album. We are not faced with something innovative, but there's undeniable improvement in the songwriting. Compared to the past, this platter is definitely more engaging than the previous record thanks to a greater compositional variety and a superior awareness of their own capabilities.

The band in question has always been inspired by those who have dominated in this field: inevitable, therefore, are the references to Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, and Grave Digger. However, if there's a group whose sound the band in this album most closely aligns with, it's surely the one led by Andy Franck. I'm speaking of Brainstorm, another Teutonic band that has successfully combined the speed and cheerfulness of power with the heavy elements of thrash. From this union, Black Abyss draws inspiration for this second work and finally manages to create something "fresher" compared to the mediocrity of "Land of Darkness."

If the initial "Damnation" is just a good heavy-style song, the subsequent "Unholy War" shows us how the band knows how to create noteworthy tracks. Even though the track (and somewhat the entire album) sounds "already heard," the chorus, borrowed from the latest Gamma Ray, adds an aura of pathos that was not reached with previous works.

Aware of having reached a good technical level, the Germans also take on a slightly more complex song titled "Shadows Of The Past". To be clear, nothing groundbreaking, but paired with the metal bullet "Pure Evil", it forms a duo that presents two different sides of the musicians: first the more reflective side, then the more aggressive one. It is precisely from this latter song that the path of Black Abyss is understood: the rhythm becomes tighter, the guitars more incisive.

It would seem like a great album if it weren't for a second half of the platter too "standardized" and similar to itself. A return to good heavy metal can be heard in the concluding "When Angels Wear Black". Undoubtedly the band's best song: seven intense and evocative minutes between harmonious riffs, a central section with great use of orchestrations, and Maiden-esque solos.

"Angels Wear Black" is certainly a step forward for the band. A band which still reuses some of the weaknesses that were present in the previous album: lack of originality, a singer not always "inspired," and some songs that unfortunately sound like fillers.

1-"Damnation" (3:45)
2-"Unholy War" (5:18)
3-"Dark Legacy" (4:17)
4-"Shadows Of The Past" (6:24)
5-"Pure Evil" (4:29)
6-"Rebellion" (3:22)
7-"I Don't Care" (3:32)
8-"The Messenger" (3:33)
9-"Time" (3:59)
10-"When Angels Wear Black" (7:37)