Since the late 1990s, Aborted have steered their ship with metronome constancy. The Belgian band, sole survivor of their original line-up around singer Sven de Caluwé, have established themselves as a gore-inspired death-metal machine, crossing extreme speed, melody and horror-film aesthetics. Vault of Horrors, hailed by the critics (a 79 average across six reviews), offers a fresh demonstration, augmented by a string of guests.
What the press retain is the fearsome efficiency of the formula. Aborted play fast, hard and clean: machine-gunned blast beats, cutting riffs, growls and shrieks alternating with surgical precision. The record multiplies guest appearances by singers from the death and deathcore scenes, each track becoming the occasion for a vocal duel.
Musically, the modern, compact production showcases this debauch of energy. The band master their art of contrast to perfection, alternating frontal assault and groovy breakdowns without ever easing the pressure. It is a record built for the stage and for the adrenaline rush.
Still, Vault of Horrors hardly surprises: Aborted apply a proven recipe, and the profusion of guests, while it adds vocal variety, at times dilutes the band’s own identity. One admires the execution more than one is seized by inspiration.
Verdict: 8/10. A brutal, swift, efficient record that fulfils its office without a misstep. Well-oiled death metal, if not overwhelming.
