“Outstrider" is the sophomore effort from black metal veteran Olve “Abbath” Eikemo’s aptly named solo project “Abbath”. Since separating from the legendary band “Immortal” over trademark disputes in 2015, Eikemo’s creative ability has been thrust into the spotlight, and after a full listen, it’s obvious that his ability to write effective and listenable black metal is still alive and kicking.
Coming in at 39 minutes spread over 9 tracks and blending the timeless “Immortal” sound with new influences, “Outstrider” is more than enough to satisfy veteran fans and newcomers alike.
The first thing that jumps out when listening to “Outstrider” are the musical strides that the group have taken since their first release. Since sporting a young, new drummer in the form of the Finnish Ukri Suvilehto, and facing the departure of veteran bassist Tom “King” Visnes, improvements over 2016’s lauded self-titled album seemed unlikely. However, “Outstrider” takes every element to 11, boasting another solid track lineup, sharper production, and a breath of freshness that separates it from its contemporaries.
The album shines most in is its excellent songwriting. “Outstrider” is able to keep things fresh by bringing in surprising new influences in a genre often bogged down by repetitive structure and a lack of variety. Classic heavy metal, thrash and Eikemo’s uniquely voiced style are seamlessly blended into the core black metal formula. That’s not to say, however, that the band cannot still succeed in delivering traditional, pulverizing black metal riffing and drumming accompanied by Abbath’s trademark croaking. New drummer Suvilheto fits in the soundscape perfectly and is unafraid to drift away from tired blast beats, accenting verses with excellent kick and cymbal work throughout. Abbath delivers his usual dynamic and innovative style of rhythm, while returning lead guitarist Ole Farstad excels in his department with high-flying and technically impressive solos.
“Harvest Pyre” and “Land of Khem” open with bold thrash-inspired riffing and incite a churning momentum that would feel at home in any mosh pit. “Hecate” throws in choruses in traditional heavy metal style, emulating classic Judas Priest before launching back into machine gun blast beats and black metal sonic destruction. “Outstrider” as a whole presents fantastic verses and choruses throughout; this shines in tracks such as “Bridge of Spasms” and “The Artifex”, both providing some surprisingly catchy vocal passages that manage to compensate for occasionally lackluster vocal delivery.
While “Outstrider” may not satisfy the staunchest genre purists, it is still a fantastic black metal album. It also serves as the perfect stepping-stone for a casual listener interested in pursuing the next steps in metal. Abbath’s choice to bring in new influences and approaches to his musical writing results in a wholly listenable and satisfying experience. The album contains enough elements of the genre it inhabits to please veteran listeners and can still draw in new, interested listeners with accessible vocals, playing and production. For those able to look past the rigidity of the traditional genre boundaries, this is black metal at some of its finest and most accessible. 5/5
Photo Courtesy of Season of Mist.
