
Kadavar
Abra Kadavar
Nuclear Blast
2013
What do ya know?! Time travel is possible! Just listen to “Abra Kadavar” by Kadavar and you will instantly be transported back to the 70s when bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Hawkwind were ruling the hard rock world. And just to be clear, don’t think that what we are dealing with here is a sort of 70s era revival like Electric Wizard, Nebula and such. No. What I’m talking about is the real thing. “Abra Kadavar” is a clear 70s hard rock record that just happened to come out in 2013.
Apparently, Kadavar wanted to record an album that was true to the age of rock history they seem to adore, and that is exactly what they did. It’s not just that the compositions are stuck in a time 40 years ago, the sound of the whole thing also stays true to the era. Each and every one of the instruments sounds like they were recorded using the analog technology of the 70s. You only have to listen how the organ in “Liquid Dream” sounds and you will know exactly what I mean. I think that Kadavar did a better job of bringing back that era than Deep Purple did with “Now What?!”
So, there really isn’t much to say about this album. If you like 70s hard rock you are in luck, because “Abra Kadavar” is a pretty good 70s hard rock album. As simple as that. So don’t expect any innovations or anything fresh. I mean check out the cover of the album, the band’s logo and the way these guys look and dress.
What you do get in “Abra Kadavar” is heavy riffs, strong hooks and a groovy bass line. If I had to choose the songs that stand out, those would be “Come Back Life” (the intro to the album that sets the mood for what’s to come) and “Abra Kadavar” (the instrumental, almost free jam session that just kicks ass).
What is really impressive is that Kadavar may sound like a band from the 70s, but none in particular. They didn’t rip any of the greats of the time off. OK, “Doomsday Machine” is clearly influenced by the music of Deep Purple, “Eye of the Storm” by Black Sabbath, “Black Snake” has Hendrix-vibe guitar fillings and if you really try, you’ll find references to other bands in every one of their songs. But that is the case in most (if not all) records. What makes this album good is that the listener doesn’t get the feeling they are listening to a tribute band. This is a Kadavar recording because the band has its own identity.
It’s a pity that these guys were born so late, they could have made a difference in the 70s and perhaps even be amongst the greats of the era. Now, can they make a difference today? I really couldn’t say, but I surely hope so.
Apparently, Kadavar wanted to record an album that was true to the age of rock history they seem to adore, and that is exactly what they did. It’s not just that the compositions are stuck in a time 40 years ago, the sound of the whole thing also stays true to the era. Each and every one of the instruments sounds like they were recorded using the analog technology of the 70s. You only have to listen how the organ in “Liquid Dream” sounds and you will know exactly what I mean. I think that Kadavar did a better job of bringing back that era than Deep Purple did with “Now What?!”
So, there really isn’t much to say about this album. If you like 70s hard rock you are in luck, because “Abra Kadavar” is a pretty good 70s hard rock album. As simple as that. So don’t expect any innovations or anything fresh. I mean check out the cover of the album, the band’s logo and the way these guys look and dress.
What you do get in “Abra Kadavar” is heavy riffs, strong hooks and a groovy bass line. If I had to choose the songs that stand out, those would be “Come Back Life” (the intro to the album that sets the mood for what’s to come) and “Abra Kadavar” (the instrumental, almost free jam session that just kicks ass).
What is really impressive is that Kadavar may sound like a band from the 70s, but none in particular. They didn’t rip any of the greats of the time off. OK, “Doomsday Machine” is clearly influenced by the music of Deep Purple, “Eye of the Storm” by Black Sabbath, “Black Snake” has Hendrix-vibe guitar fillings and if you really try, you’ll find references to other bands in every one of their songs. But that is the case in most (if not all) records. What makes this album good is that the listener doesn’t get the feeling they are listening to a tribute band. This is a Kadavar recording because the band has its own identity.
It’s a pity that these guys were born so late, they could have made a difference in the 70s and perhaps even be amongst the greats of the era. Now, can they make a difference today? I really couldn’t say, but I surely hope so.