Abysmal Dawn - Leveling the Plane of Existence

Sometimes I can't understand myself. Sometimes within the same sub-genre I will like one band and not like another. For example, I like Origin. I don't like Obscura. or Cynic. But I do like Abysmal Dawn. If you haven't guessed, I'm talking about technical death metal. (ok, maybe Cynic doesn't fit in there) I can't really explain why I like certain bands over others. But I'll try and explain why I like Abysmal Dawn.

First of all, for the most part, the lyrics are discernible. This isn't a big sticking point with me but it helps. If I couldn't make out any words, I'd dismiss it outright only because the music makes up for any vocal shortcomings. Don't think the vocals aren't brutal though. They are. Very much so. But they are very well done and far from repetitive grunting. Also, they aren't everywhere. There is a good balance between the vocals and the music.

I can appreciate musical ability. Mainly because I have very little. I try but... So when I hear a band play with the immensity of talent that the dudes in AD have, it blows my mind. Now, just being able to play very well doesn't mean you can write. I can play softball. Doesn't mean I can coach. That's what appeals to me about Abysmal Dawn. They have serious chops but they are able to turn that into songs. Pretty complex songs at that. They can bring the muscle and power of traditional death metal and meld that with blissful solos and untraditional song structures. They can be technical without shoving it down your throat or being overly arty. I don't think they'll be the band that swings me over to the uber-tech/prog side of  the fence but if I want to feel inadequate, I'll put on Leveling the Plane of Existence.
I'd really like to say more about this but I'm getting a case of writer's block.

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Quickies from the last couple days

Abysmal Dawn - Programmed To Consume: Pretty good tech-death. Nothing really special about it though. I'll give it a thumbs up.

Across Tundras - Western Sky Ride: Sets a depressing mood. I believe the lyrics are thematically tied to the album title. Gotta be in the mood for it. Thumbs up.

Agalloch - The White EP: Not sure why this is an EP. There is 7 tracks of average length (1 over 7 min). Even more depressing than Across Tundras. I didn't get all the way thru before I went to the next album so...thumbs down.

Arsis - We Are The Nightmare: Better tech-death than Abysmal Dawn. Standout track in My Oath To Madness. Thumbs up.

Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie: Album cover better than the album. Surprised I let the whole thing play. Not bad really but nothing to grab me. Blackened death. Thumbs down.

Fuck The Facts - Disgorge Mexico: Not cohesive enough for me as an album. I generally don't like alot of grind. I'm gonna say thumbs down but I will go see them live (they play near me alot).