Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: ABDICATRIX; signed vis UKEM Record, hailing from England - performing Black Metal, on their debut album entitled: "Melancholia" (released August 6th, 2021). Since formation in 2005-2020 as NONSERVIAM; reforming as ABDICATRIX, the quartet in question have only this debut album in their discography so far entitled: "Melancholia". 8 tracks ranging at around 32:36; ABDICATRIX arranges an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Black Metal developments.

Opening up with a blistering, barrage frenzy on some blackened death metal viscerality - the titular track starts things off with this sonically seamless trailblazing that skyrockets with sulfurous yet raw tonality, lacerating with killer rippage & primitively solid tonality. A clobbering furocity in belting impact strikes with monolithic tempo, chiseling densely into a lofty hook in concretely gritty harmonies of foreboding gnarliness. "Into The Depths" chops with relentless smacks from drummer Douglas Hammer, who rambunctiously piledrives the set with steely & robust precision. A bludgeoning foundation in crunchy adrenaline amplifies with punchy, tight and atmospheric bleakness as dark grinds fabricate fierce firepower expertise while merging uniquely versatile vehemence & stompy potency, while this ritualistic vibrancy grooves like a bulldozing galloper set to unleash ruthless pandemonium stridently with savagely sinister embrace.

"So Dark, My Contempt" conjures up more oppressive mayhem, showcasing rapidly swift nimbleness from guitar maelstrom twinners Louisa Raco & Dionne Hogan, both element dynamically dexterous magnitude which supplies with shredding malice amongst a hauntingly daunting flamboyance that manifests with rampantly rompy finesse in which trembles with rumbling reverberation through this stampeding oblivion on frolicking chugs that ramify with chunky fretwork desolation, fiercely. "The Curse Of Clay And Blood" surges with strong yet melodic tremolo pickings, injecting an infectious aesthetic in extreme doses of thumpy blast beats & this sense of foggy damnation - implementing a distinctively distinguished yet mythical malformation of salubriously slaying revs while merged with that abominable landscape of meaty yet monstrous melancholy which shrouds speakers with volatile remedies amongst a blackened fueled distilment.

Nadia Gioia on vocals viciously yells with snarly shrieks, raspy throatiness & screaming grimness in a high-pitched shout while adding a bit of guttural, blood-curdling grovels to the mix. "Soteira" subjugates with more smudgy bellows, ear-piercing guitars and fluidly piping scourges of malignant mayhem, scouring with vigorous persistence, persevering with slow & mid-paced spectrums in a fastened impact of ominously jarring menace. "Polarity's Blade"  slashes with wavering density, as leads and solos tend to oscillate through those melodious patterns while revolving around a virulent synergy & rhythmic onslaught while an archaic but throttling systematic synergizes with prodigious but beefy instrumentation that will summon your bestial brutality in no time.

The penultimate blasphemer "Tempest Quintessence'' smothers you with mellow hooks, blackened ferocity and discordant but doomy embodiments in evil eeriness...where this stark contrast attributes at a gloomy execution in borderline terror, ABDICATRIX unearth this creepy harrowing while the hazy fogginess forges a deathly listen prestigiously - while "Abysm Entente'' overall concludes "Melancholia" with this progressive technicality which pierces through with droning but ethereal bitterness. Bottom line; I am compelled to say that this was a decent listen, it's full of rough intensity and diligently intriguing immensity that portrays this nasty but enjoyably entertaining experience that will mesmerize your blackened heart and soul splendidly. Worth spinning & replaying a few handful of times, this is definitely for Black Metal enthusiasts alike while those wanting to get into the sub-genre would make this a good starting point into checking this one out - it's an interesting discovery for sure.