Abomination

Abomination is a seminal American death/thrash metal band formed in Chicago in 1987. The group is most notable for being a primary vehicle for Paul Speckmann, a foundational figure in the death metal genre who also led the band Master.

Abomination's sound is characterized by a 'death-thrash' hybrid that incorporates significant elements of hardcore punk and crust, resulting in a more grounded and socially aware aesthetic than the Florida death metal scene of the same era. Their discography, particularly the self-titled 1990 debut and 1991's 'Tragedy Strikes', is highly regarded by collectors of the Nuclear Blast and Metal Forces era for its raw production and 'Speckmann-esque' bass-heavy mix. Critically, they are viewed as a bridge between the high-speed aggression of Slayer and the burgeoning death metal movement, maintaining a cult status for their refusal to adopt the polished standards of later 90s metal. Their influence persists in the modern 'old school death metal' (OSDM) revival, where their unpretentious, politically charged approach is seen as a blueprint for the genre's more visceral, punk-aligned wing.