While this album is every bit as good as a fan would hope, the slight style-switch must be noted, as it may (as it has me) adversely affect your opinion of Strychnine.213. Yes, it is as you (if you like real metal) feared: Aborted have gone deathcore. Trust me, however, that it’s nowhere near as bad as it sounds on paper. True, they utilize the hated and loathed breakdown system, but those moments are far between, and don’t last very long. Everything else is Aborted as you know and love them. Here’s an easy way to tell if you’ll dig Strychnine.213: Did you think Slaughter & Apparatus... was a step forward or back? If forward you shall be pleased (especially if you’re a metalcore douche), but those who crave the Goremageddon... days, and especially you death metal purists, will most likely be scowling through this release, as you did Aborted’s set at the abysmal 2008 Summer Slaughter (putrid pile of mallcore that it was).

Despite my obvious chagrin at the (admittedly subtle) inclusion of such a pathetic style of extreme music, I must re-emphasize that this is a very good album. Marvelous technicality, crushingly brutal riffs and bass lines, fast but layered and groovy drumming, and a production and clarity befitting an In Flames album coalesce to one tasty platter of gore, set to overload your aural sensibilities. Check it out at your own discretion, true believers. You’ve been warned.

written by Jesse Ketman

Playing time: 37:13