Sunday, September 10, 2023

OVERDRVE- ABASI Pathos Distortion ....5 years later, has Metal changed ???

ABASI PATHOS DISTORTION 
$200.00 USD
Animals as Leaders with guitarist Tosin Abasi were a primary force in creating a whole new genre of Metal, Djent. 
Due to its sonic tempo, an introduction of unusual ergonomic 8 string guitars and demand for virtuosity it has been more admired than loved. Nothing has changed in any culturally popular music. People in general still want to hear a tune that they can sing along or hum to. John Lennon said it best. Music must sound familiar but different at the same time to capture our imagination. The biggest band in Metal is still Metallica. Why? We like the tunes. The technique to perform them is to all but a tiny few of what listeners find relevant.

This pedal was designed by Tosin working with Brian Wampler. Like all of his ideas the 'New' of them can be startling and it is easy to overlook a guy who thinks if it is not broke don't fix it. In other words this pedal in Tosin's mind had to still capture a tube amp sound. 
Current modern sounds have abandoned a real tube amps natural softer attack for more of a very percussive and defined one and also total string definition where one string does not blend into another. Between the return of solid state amps and modelers the modern sound has become one of total plastic surgery to the point it has lost its organic quality. We now get the sound equivalent of polycarbonates and titanium instead of wood. So my point is this pedal does not throw the baby out with the bath water. It is not a total modern sound of total tightness with the lows cut off with a razors edge and a sound so smooth as to not have any pores.
The layout is Volume, Gain, Treble, Mid and Bass. A toggle lets you choose a smooth or one with an edge.
CONCLUSION
Things change quickly. Even now players are borrowing from the past but not from point in time. It is a matter of taking the best of every error and making an eclectic mix that is tied to nothing. Even 5 years ago can be the good ol' days as it does not have to be your only sound but simply anther color on pedal pallet to choose from.
Actually the price of the pedal has come down about $50 while new things have gone up $50. The point is you get $200 worth of pedal for your $200.


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