I remember stumbling across ABSCESSION quite a while ago. In one of these nights rummaging through different blogs and magazines on the internet, while listening to Swedish music. Wisely chosen by the great unknown DJ, “Youtube”. I also remember they didn’t really caught me back then. Not because it was excessively bad or anything. It was just not pretty surprising nor specially catchy. Of course most bands don’t aim on pretty surprising or unusual (though I believe every band kind of hopes to be at least different from others and if you follow that chain of thoughts it seems like there is a secret desire for being unique). I admit listening to ABSCESSION’s first full length “Grave Offerings” proved me wrong. The Swedish four-piece is more surprising than I thought. In fact they present a very vivid songwriting. Which seems to be some kind of a blessing and a curse at the same time. They have the ability to cover a range from old school Sweden Death to dark melodic and atmospheric modern Death. Undoubtedly they master to give songs structure, deepness and atmosphere. But on the other hand they insert elements which undermine the picture “Grave Offerings” draws in the beginning. Starting with some outbreaks towards Nu Metal or Groove Metal. Something very surprising after listing to the first few songs. Continuing with one of my biggest fears. Someone starts to sing clean parts onto rough, deep growling. They do. I will never get to this point and I gladly don’t have to. Anyway the album starts very powerful with ‘Where Sleeping Gods Dwell’. The song shows the range you are about to experience on this record precisely. Slow brutality, old school parts, melodic bridges. Very nice. And it continues that convincing. Until these elements pop up. I have to say this is actually nothing which lowers the quality of this record significantly. ABSCESSION are using the skills they have and create a sound which is traditional and modern the same time. It’s not exactly my cup of blood but it’s definitely a well written and produced album. I believe a lot of Sweden Death fans will be happy with “Grave Offerings”. For all further information check out www.facebook.com/abscession, http://abscession.bandcamp.com or www.finalgaterecords.com