ABROGATION is a Melodic Death Metal band based out of Magdenburg, Germany. Formed in 1995, the band had previously release five studio albums. This is the band's sixth, and contains ten new tracks. "Tausend Schatten" opens the album in hushed piano tones that build into harmonic guitar parts and vocals fry. It's a bit thin all around for me however. The guitars are somewhat grounded and a bit more bass guitar presence would have helped. "Die Haupter meiner Feinde" has some more going on sonically but still relies mostly on the strength of the main riff, which isn't overly memorable. However the guitar solo section brings some more to the table. "Deine Wunden" has a totally different sound and the main riff reminds me of another song that I cannot place...like something from THE ADAM'S FAMILY. It's driven by a rhythmic quality as the vocals and guitar notes march in unison.
 
"Wintererwachen" is similar to the previous track in pace and sound and there is unfortunately some settling starting to occur on the album. The main riff is too linear and missing dynamic change. "Libertas Luporum" stretches out a little more and I think the chorus sections add power to the overall sound, and "Totenwache" features some lead guitar breaks that bring some complexity to the track. However at six songs into the album I really have yet to hear anything really striking. "Nahre das Feuer" is somewhat more inventive for me. "Dunkles Herz" is the odd song out on the album, being longer than all previous tracks and having some more ambient passages which enjoy good use of texture and change. Had all the songs on this album taken some more chances like we have here I think the experience could have been very different.
 
"Ausstant" closes the album. This instrumental is nicely done and has more emotional quality than the other tracks. Sterility is what comes to mind after hearing the entire album. There is potential here, but I expected a bit more from a seasoned band like this. I think the overly present formula of a simple guitar riff and the vocals being delivered in nearly exactly the same manner in each song just makes the album stale for me. A little more variation could have really strengthened the album.