The album kicks off with intro song ‘Reminiscent‘, an instrumental song with bends and a bit of an eerie feeling to it. Fluently, it goes into the second song ‘Other Half‘. Then the voice of lead singer Jag Valdez kicks in and we’re off into the first album of Abigail’s Affair. 

The band states that this is a very personal album to them. 

‘‘Each and every song describes the way we feel about life and how our experiences affect us in a personal way’’

Abigail’s Affair

Title track ‘Shattered‘ starts off with a clean guitar. After a few seconds, the electric guitar comes on top. Then later, the classic guitar stops and Abigail’s Affair goes all in. This song is a cry for help. A cry for someone who has fallen victim to the dark and is not able to get out of there alone. 

‘Carpe Diem’ has very beautiful harmonies and a kick ass solo. ‘‘No matter what you’ve gone through, there’s always so much more’’ the lyrics say. Carpe Diem means that you have to live in the moment. Live this moment here and now to your best opportunity. I think Abigail’s Affair is doing that with this album. When they state on their Facebook page: ‘This is only the beginning’, I believe that. We are going to hear more of Abigail’s Affair in the future. 

‘Wolves’ is a song where everything just kicks in right from the beginning. Then after 30 seconds everything is silent and Jag is clearing his throat. Then everything goes full power again. I love these little details. A Day to Remember also did a similar thing in their song ‘I’m Made of Wax Larry, Where Are You Made Of’?

Next song ‘Burden’ starts with a whisper of the words ‘get out’. Another tiny detail I really like. ‘Poison II’ almost turns black metal at some point. A little bit of organized chaos is going on here. Many things at once that come to the ear. This song has everything mashed together. It even has a clean part in it. Closer of the album ‘Unspoken Words’ shows us once again the clean parts mixed with the distorted/screamed parts. Something I really love about the genre in general. The diversity of it. A metalcore band that is good in my book, can easily switch between those. And yes, yes they can. They only need to finetune it a bit. Considering this is only their first album, I think we have a lot to look forward to. 

And what a first album it is. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like a first album. Meaning that it sounds like this band is experienced. It has a full sound to it. Most first albums lack some depth to it. This one doesn’t. It’s a straightforward metalcore album that flies by. It seems to be one solid rock of music that flies at you. You aren’t able to avoid it, it’s right there. Although you didn’t see it coming, you’re stuck in it. It attacks you, shows what it’s capable of, and then leaves. This 30 minute record is powerful, it smacks you in the face, but fails to leave a lasting mark. Giving that this is their first album though, absolutely well done. This is a great start. But for me personally, it doesn’t stay in my long term memory after the first listen. I will however, definitely come back to their work. But I have to write it down.

Release date: Febuary 19, 2021
Label: Wormholedeath Records
Tracklist:

1. Reminiscent
2. Other half
3. G.F.Y.
4. Pray
5. Pain
6. Shattered
7. Carpe Diem
8. Wolves
9. Burden
10. Poison II
11. Unspoken Words