Ampedsounds November 7, 2011

Prepare to get your ears rocked by some definitively well-orchestrated tunes. San Francisco’s own Abatis is a Rock/Fuzz/Garage band whose killer guitars, slamming drum sequences and penetrating vocals are as razor sharp as their namesake implies. Sean Wagner (lead guitar/vocals), Ben Lauffer (drums), and Stuart Masslehbrown (bass/vocals) have comprised a ground breaking dynamic opus that commands the utmost attention.

Abatis uses their remarkable instrumentalism as the catalyst to reach the listener as heard on the trashing rapid paced track “Brother” (I Hope You Can Run). Wagner’s guitar skills take center stage as chords slash through pronounced kicks and an infectious bass line with the precision of 300 Spartans attacking Persian enemies. Masslehbrown keeps it funky of the intense and sonically vivid “Set a Fire”. From the opening seconds, the prominent bass groove is the cement that holds this picturesque sculpture together. Lauffer punishes the drums like a red-headed step child on “Salt Hands”. His prevailing drum rolls and powerful cymbal/kick stabs land with the force and precision of artillery rounds excavating a battlefield. This is bona fide workout music at its finest.

If you’re like many who like me have trouble getting out of the start blocks in the morning, you should start your days off right with heavy doses of Abatis. Their infectious music will get you up and moving like a double shot of espresso mixed with copious amounts of sugar. You can get their latest offering “Electric Dead” on iTunes.

You can find the review HERE

Thanks to everyone who has already purchased our new album from itunes, amazon, or cdbaby! If you haven’t yet, you can check out some samples on Reverbnation and then head over to your preferred digital download site  to buy! Physical CD copies are coming soon.

(You might notice that the album cover has changed from the two-headed buffalo to a black-and-white octopus. Don’t let that confuse you — it’s the same album, just with a new cover. The physical copies will have the octo-cover. )

If you still need some convincing before you shell-out your $9.99, check out this great review from stylewylde.com:

A well-produced debut album that actually delivers raw energy is a rarity these days when overly auto-tuned acts are the norm; but San Francisco based Abatis does it with their blaring, raucous offering, Electric Dead. Far more organic that the synth-pop sound that has been ubiquitous in recent years, Electric Dead recalls a louder, rowdier time when bands like Nirvana, Sound Garden and Stone Temple Pilots ruled the airways. Guitars made thick with reverb aided by a pounding beat that doesn’t let up from the opening chords of “Horsefly” to the closing notes of “Electric Dead” the album satisfies the hungry-for-a-change  listener with a big juicy sound.   An impressive start for the band, whom have been together for just over a year, Electric Dead speaks to a bright future for these Bay Area rockers. 

Abatis is: Stuart Maaslehbrown on Bass/vox, Sean Wagner on Guitar/vox and Ben Lauffer on Drums, their debut album Electric Dead is available via itunes.