AABODE is a French band that recently dropped their first full-length “Neo-Age”, immersed in the realm of Avantgarde Death Metal. For those of you not as familiar with this specific corner of Metal, like myself, here are my impressions: I must admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this album. The genre itself tends to go deep into uncharted territory, so I had to prepare myself for something experimental and challenging to my ears. “Neo-Age” features seven tracks of intricate, technical (Avantgarde) Death Metal that at times feels like it’s playing by its own rules. For this full-length, AABODE shows a level of maturity and huge understanding of experimentation. Their sound is intense, sometimes disorienting, but always engaging in a way that keeps you hooked. AABODE doesn’t just play Death Metal, they push it into new dimensions, incorporating moments of chaos, melodic fragments and unpredictable shifts. You can hear a lot of the experimental sounds here. The rhythms are tight but compelling and the vocals shift from guttural growls to highs that create a deep sense of strange aura. I guess that for those more familiar with this type of Metal, this album might be very powerful. It’s too experimental for my taste, but I still find it impressive. There’s a certain beauty in the chaos here represented, especially when the tracks build into something more cohesive by the end. As I mentioned, I’m not immersed in this subgenre, but I can tell that AABODE is onto something here and that I was very surprised by them. I liked those moments of tension, later going through dramatic passages that suddenly collapse into more melodic lines. This creates an emotional wave of sounds. It’s like being caught in a whirlwind of musical ideas and while it may leave you dizzy at times. I do respect the band for pulling this off. Of course, I have to acknowledge that this style won’t be for everyone. The Avantgarde Death Metal scene must certainly be a niche and AABODE’s “Neo-Age” doesn’t do much to soften that edge. It’s loud, it’s wild and it’s a little unpredictable, definitely a journey worth taking. I can see these guys making a serious impact on the scene in France and the world at large. “Neo-Age” is a work that may take a few listens to fully appreciate (at least for someone like me). It’s not the kind of album you just throw on in the background; this is one that demands your attention. It forces you to ask yourself if you’re willing to dive into something a bit more esoteric. While this isn’t quite my usual taste, I can still appreciate the craftsmanship that’s gone into this album. Definitely a band to keep an eye on! Check them out here: www.facebook.com/aabodedm, www.facebook.com/godzovwarproductions