I wasn’t overly impressed with Abacinate’s 2008 debut  albummRuination, as it was a simple mix of hardcore and death metal. It wasn’t quite brutal enough to be considered deathcore or death metal, and came across as a hardcore sheep simply trying to unconvincingly wear death metal clothing.

But on their follow-up, Genesis (are these guys obsessed with Job For a Cowboy or something?), the band’s latest effort and possibly their last due to the death of vocalist Jason Sica, is a vastly improved effort that joins the many ranks of deathcore bands that are taking a more streamlined and effective death metal approach.

At the heart of Abacinate’s improvement is the vocalist Sica, who took over for Ian Neal, before passing last September. His memory should be indelibly engrained in Genesis as it’s a forceful, blast furnace vocal display that elevates Abacinate’s presence. And even though the sound is still one that’s rooted in hardcore, an increased sense of urgency, variety and skill make Genesis a much more enjoyable listen than Ruination.

I’d say recent releases by The Famine or Salt the Wound are viable comparisons as far as solid, if hardly groundbreaking American deathcore/death metal goes; a tangible Black Dahlia Murder backbone with slicing, sharp riffage with dual rasps/growls. But where Abacinate differ is their breakdowns. Where most of their peers are content to render forced death metal lurches, Abacinate return to their hardcore roots with grooves that resemble something Hatebreed, Built Upon Frustration or Full Blown Chaos might deliver.

Where Ruination was a forgettable affair from start to finish, two songs into Genesis, “Disturbing Remedies for as Desperate Disease”, where the tracks lumbering start and slicing melodic climax is better than anything on the Ruination combined. Then “Purveyors of Scum” follows that impressive track up with a huge lurch and lope and blistering riff, and even though it takes a sneering chant, hardcore tangent mid-song, it all works somehow due to the palpable conviction and delivery and Sica. The oddly named but fierce “Necroplunger” continues the decent quality of tracks as does the neat little solo that arises in “A Harmless Walk” and massive grooves that litter “An American Obsession”. On the other hand, I have to admit the album’s last quarter, featuring an oddly bluesy instrumental duo “Laughing in the Dark pt 1 and 2”, tends to get a bit ‘samey’ and lose my attention a little bit.

It’s a shame the band is now on hold, as there was some promise here, even if the band was competing against loads of similar sounding bands. Still, Genesis remains something that Abacinate can be proud of and it’s definitely a worthwhile legacy for Sica.

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