Genre: Black Metal / Dark Ambient / Noise

01 Honores Vultus Mutares Ex Aeris Campi
02 Aerge Facere Alci
03 Icendio Fulminis Tecis
04 Calibus Frontem Tumeo Acidus Abcessus
05 Corpus In As Trahere Abincere
06 Vis Semina Dies Hora Dea-Membra Corpora
07 Feci Factum Sanguine Gladios Made Fieri Factus
08 Tortus Torquero Colla Tumentes
09 Turannum Bellux Eventus Alci Exeo Sivium Vitae Carthaginis Integra
10 Hostes Orco Hostium Legiones Dis Manibus Pacis Ruptores Ultioni
11 Unimum, Mentem Alcis Juventutem Largitionibus, Hostes Addimicandum, Commotis Exita Sacris Thyias
12 De Profundis...

Abruptum is one of those bands that have purposely shrouded themselves in bizarre mystery over the years, using a fine sheet of deceit and outrageous story twists to throw forth their image. There are many abnormal stories that tell the story of Abruptum, some of which can be pushed aside as purely eccentric or outlandish, some of which cannot be explained away at all. For the most part, I cannot stand bands that feel the need to lie about who they are in order to pull of an image to sell records. However, Abruptum has never been about the music. Abruptum has never been music at all. Abruptum has always been nothing more than a muse; that is, an inspiration to those of us wishing to seek something out through their music on an artistic level. Thus, Evil Genius is not so much an album, as it is an audible artwork meant to pull us into our own trance and state of being, to find the darkness within ourselves and take that journey with the help of their own tortured artwork. However, this has been delivered to me in the form of an audio medium and thus will be looked upon as a music release.

Evil Genius is a compilation of the "Hexum Galaem Zelog" and "Satanist Tunes" demos, as well as the "Evil" 7" EP. Originally released in 1995 in Hellspawn Records, it finally again sees the light of day in 2007 via Black Lodge Records (licensed to Southern Lord in America). The music found on these recordings is not truly black metal in nature. Really, it is more like slightly thrashy death metal with black metal atmosphere and image. The band is now, unfortuantely, deceased. While Abruptum survived nearly a decade after both original founding members left, they only had one further full-length entitled "Casus Luciferi". Last surviving member Evil can also be found in Marduk and Devil's Whorehouse, while founding members It and All are also in Ophthalamia, Vondur, and War.

While in 1995 this release may have been impressive to many for the sheer nature of what it represented, these days it really is nothing special. After the likes of LLN bands shining into the light of day and the controversy surrounding the groups very existence, false rumors such as Abruptum's torture-midget-gypsy vocals just don't seem that intriguing. However, the band was part of the legendary black circle until threats forced It to leave, so they do deserve their spot in the sun. This music is largely unimpressive, and perhaps the fact that It puts forth the band's anti-music beliefs is just a cover up of their dis-talent. However, judging from the other acts he is part of, this can easily be dispelled. Much of this album is badly produced (although I give it some slack due to the fact it is largely a demo re-release), and the music just isn't up to par with many black metal acts in the scene now. I can't really see this being worth buying unless you are absolutely a collector or a severe elitist old school black metal fan. If you are looking for something weird or strangely interesting to strike you into an artistic roar, this may be just your calling. Evil Genius is a good start to painting a canvas with blood.