ABINAYA - review added 13th February 2009
Album Review: Corps (2009)
For fans of: alternative metal... and French bands with South American rhythms
It's incredibly rare to come across a metal band from a none English speaking country who actually sing in their own language. Most bite the bullet and sing in English, more often than not in the hope they can break the American market. Rammstein are one band who remain true to their roots, and so are Abinaya.
Corps is the second album from the Paris based band. The sound is built around a granite-layer of guitar riffs and a complex framework of tribal rhythms. There's a proper metal feel with a strong whiff of hardcore punk to the record, although it occasionally sinks into introspective, melodic moments. The overall vibe is like a collision of Roots-era Sepultura, Cro-Mags and Charles Aznavour.
The album starts with the title track, which itself starts with a scratching sound and accelerates to a thumping guitar assault. The opening riff is as boisterous as a chimp in a strop and sets a good tone for the rest of the album. Vocalist Igor Achard will never set the world on fire, but his style fits with the rustic opulence of the record. There's an urgency to the sound, as if they had to finish the recording because someone else had the studio the next morning. The urgency keeps the sound fresh and exciting, but it is hard to relax when Corps is playing.
'L'Homme Libre' is the most catchy song. With a great selection of Zakk Wylde-esque pinched harmonic moments and the percussion section cooking up a storm, the end result is a proper riot of a song. 'Algo Mais (Quelque Chose De Plus)' isn't far behind in its assault on the mind. The sound is different - Abinaya get close to a raucous ballad with this one - but the compulsive songwriting shines through again.
Now, my French is pretty appalling. I can ask for a loaf of bread, some cheese and a fish in the garden, but that's about all. Hence it's pretty hard to give this album an objective score. On one hand I can barely understand a word and have no idea how inspiring the lyrics are. On the other, the sound is mesmerising and the record as a whole is as rhythmically arousing as a vibrating water bed.
What it boils down to is: if you can get past the language barrier, you will probably love what Abinaya have done. If you need your lyrics spouted forth in the Queen's English, treat the album like a guillotine in the late 18th century - avoid it!
Check out... The rhythms. Oh, the rhythms...
Track List:
1. Corps
2. Enfant D'Orient
3. L'Homme Libre
4. Regarder Le Chel
5. Algo Mais (Quelque Chose De Plus)
6. Les Labels
7. Testament
8. Les Chars De Police
9. Partir Puis Revenir
10. La Mort Des Amants
11. Resiste
Artist's websites: MySpace
