ABYSMAL DAWN is a four-piece Death Metal band from Los Angeles, California. The long-running band is back after 6 years with ''Phylogenesis''. They have been at it since 2003 and have 5 full-length albums to date. They are considered as the followers of the Florida Death Metal scene and the progression of the genre into the 2000's. They are critically-acclaimed for their ferocity yet they have some of the most thought-provoking lyrics in the genre. Down with the mutilation, death, rape and whatnot lyrical content from a lot of Death Metal bands out there. They talk about the existence of mankind, his struggle against the government, his struggle against his very existence and the collapse of any social interaction. This album dives head first into lyrical themes that are quite uncommon in their genre and it's honestly a breath of fresh air.

With BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, this might be the best Death Metal album of the year barnone. It's under 40 minutes and that's perfect for the genre, it pulls no punches and leaves you out of breath. I know there are quite popular in the Death Metal genre (I didn't know much about the band before reviewing this album actually), undeniably talented, and appealing to a wide variety of metal fans, there's no arguing that they're one of the few bands out there who've lasted this long and never fell off the wagon even once. I was able to listen to their previous albums to give me a glimpse in what they were offering and I was blown again. Each album has it's own merits, it's own personality and picking a favorite album out of the lot really comes down to personal taste.

You have contrasting dynamics throughout this opus and it never repeats itself. It really never becomes monotonous or uninteresting, the melodies are very interesting and have that in your face attitude. They don't really step out of their comfort zone and yet it still a much more complex than previously thought. Nothing seems to be left at random and you do not have any filler tracks. Songwriting takes great prominence and it becomes ''Phylogenesis'' strongest weapon. Most of the songs follow a straightforward structure yet emphasizing on the faster tempos and intelligent lyrics. You have the intensity of bands like CANNIBAL CORPSE, SUFFOCATION and DEICIDE but with technical musicianship and a much mature nature to the sound. The sound is so more clearer, finished with the raw edge of the forefathers of the genre.  ABYSMAL DAWN have surpassed any band from the glory days of Death Metal and have proven to be the uncrowned kings of the genre. It's straight to the point Death Metal and they are without a doubt of the best bands in Death Metal in North America probably the word.