Technical death metal troupe Cognitive are back with 'Abhorrence', their fifth full length album and a tremendously worthy successor to 2021’s 'Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction'. This is the New Jersey powerhouse quintet at its brutal best – unrelenting riffs leave the listener stunned, while a wave of thoughtful, devastating lyrics washes over. The album is a turbulent, draining but ultimately fulfilling experience.
Cognitive started work on 'Abhorrence' while touring 'Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction', sending tracks back and forth to each other while trekking from one intense gig to another.
“While we were on tour, we started writing the record,” says guitarist Rob Wharton. “There were riffs and ideas that didn't make 'Malevolent Thoughts'. We just kept toiling away with it. And then we recorded the ‘Rot Eternal’ single in between touring. So it's been just nonstop writing.”
Drummer AJ Viana has his own studio (he’s previously worked with bands as prestigious as Hath), and he recorded, tracked and mixed the album, before Ryan Williams (The Black Dahlia Murder, John Frum) at Metal Blade mastered it. Viana would send mixes to Williams and they honed them in the mastering process. To the album’s immense benefit, it was a collaborative process and everyone brought their A game.
“We're very fortunate that AJ can track and do everything,” says Wharton. “It's good quality, and it holds up.”
This promises to be a big year for Cognitive, as they take Abhorrence on the road and bring more people into their vile new world. 13 years after the release of their debut EP, the band’s fifth full-lengther sees them continue to make giant strides forward while retaining the elements of their past efforts that got them this far.
'Abhorrence' may provide therapeutic commentary about how messed up the world currently is, but also, ironically, provides a breath of fresh air. We’re all in this together, so catch Cognitive on the road this year.
Limited Gold Nugget 'Gilded Abyss' vinyl pressing
*Please note - image is a mock up only, actual colours may vary on finished product*
Tracklisting
Side A:
1. Abhorrence
