Abgott: Godfather In Black

This is relentless black metal. This is also some of the best guitar playing in this music genre. Critics often dismiss black metal as an avenue for the less talented to get away with their inaptitude but the Abgott lads know their instruments, they certainly know how to play- very well, mind you. However, Godfather In Black is a win-lose album; it wins lots of guitar playing fans, especially those of us excessively critical with talent, it also loses some of the purists who would deem this as a commercial access. You can't please all the people all the time but I am definitely pleased with this one.

Cort metal

While the legion of black metal proponents are busy equipping themselves with pointy, evil guitars, Abgott's Agamoth is more than happy with a Cort (he has an official endorsement, mind you...).

Abgott: Fizala

My final purchase for 2008 is the re-issued copy of Abgott's Fizala (pic here is the original album cover). Majority of the black metal legion release their albums under obscure record labels, getting them is hell.

I make a point to keep track of Abgott's releases because guitarist Tanathos is a guitar teacher so my expectations of his technicalities is very high. The issue with such individuals is that they often do not manifest their true individual capacity because it gets them nowhere, they prefer being recognized in a band context. However, Tanathos' guitar authority is all over this album & it's one of the most varied guitar works I've come across in this music genre thus reflecting the mastery of his accomplishments. It won't appeal to the average Vai/ Satriani fans but if you worship guitar, this one's a respectable attainment.