Obscura formed back in 2002 as a more straight-forward Technical Death Metal group, which showed on their debut full-length release Retribution. The band had a raw, energetic approach to the music they played, and it made for a quite impressive debut release from the group. However, the band's more traditional technical sound wouldn't really last that much longer, Obscura followed Retribution with a demo recording, which prompted some major attention from both labels, as well as more fans, as their style shifted dramatically for Cosmogenesis, their debut Relapse Records release. The heavy, atmospheric, and bass driven science fiction-sounding Progressive elements were a nice touch to cause the group to stand out amidst the many Suffocation and Origin closed that had started to flood the market, and gave a great breath of fresh air to the style that was so desperately needed. Since then, the group's debut recording had been reissued, and the band toured the hell out of the album.
One of the more prominant thing about the band's releases up to this point is that the group has issued three very different albums. Neither release really sounds that similar to one another, but it's pretty clear that their first two acted more as blueprints for what is to come. Their initial Retribution album showed a more traditional Technical Death Metal group, while Cosmogenesis brought in the science fiction-like state of Progressive music that defined the group's signature sound, even though it wound up losing much of the bite that the intense and raw debut had. This effort felt more polished and refined, losing a good deal of the bite that the initial fan base had come to expect. Sure, it wasn't the most impressive release, but it definitely proved to be one of the most important albums for the group.
Now, Obscura is bringing us their third full-length effort, which really seems to take the best ideas from the previous two efforts, and combines them nicely, though some things have been sacked from the recording. Could it be that Omnivium is the final blueprint for the group? Or is this slightly less then expected album the future of Obscura? One thing is for sure, it'd be nice to see a continuing shift in the band's music. While the albums are often technical, and the Progressive elements have been a nice addition, it'd be great to see the band expand and explore the boundaries more to create a fourth follow-up that really only seems to take a similar stance with the foundation of the material's music, but offering up a whole new experience. But, givem Omnivium, chances are good the fourth full-length effort will simply sound like a more refined and touched up version. While that's not a bad thing, the surprise of the path the band takes with the albums has been an allure with these three releases, and as a personal fan, really made Omnivium stand out as another important releasae moreso then had they just simply replicated the sound of Cosmogenesis.
Either way, it's pretty clear that Obscura is here to stay. The progress that this group has made definitely left an impression on the Metal community. While incorporating some science fiction elements to Death Metal isn't necessarily the freshest idea, Obscura clearly is trying to make it work in a fresh new way. Even though Omnivium has just released, I'm personally anxious to see what the next album will have in store for us musically, as Obscura's future is definitely a bright and open one.
The Ten Days of SINISTER: The Altered Since Birth Review Chronological Breakdown
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| Retribution (2010 Reissue) |
Retribution was a bit of a hard find for many who jumped on with Cosmogenesis. Those who found it learned a much different history of the group six years before that album's release. The music was more raw then sleek, stylish, and even futuristic sounding. In fact, this album had teeth. It leapt right for the listener's throat, and while it doesn't necessarily define the band, as well as feels like a bit of a cast aside debut of not-fully-recognized potential, the album had been reissued, and more fans became exposed to the intensity that Obscura can bring to the metal world. It's a trip into their past that is well worth the journey, despite your views on their current sound, being an album that is well worth checking out, especially the reissued version, as it contains two additional tracks. However, the new artwork feels a little off given the sound of the album compared to the futuristic, stylish approach of their more current Relapse Records contracted releases.
-> Read the review of Retribution here.
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| Cosmogenesis |
What can I say, I wasn't the biggest fan of this release, but I do acknowledge it's importance. There were a number of songs on Cosmogenesis that actually were really good. The approach the band took of having the music really feel pushed by impressive bass lines that stood out aside just being a generic performance of mimicking the lead guitarist. The bass solos also really solidified the album as it's own seperate entity, and really engulfed the listener into more of a sci-fi world then many other bands who try to create a sound like this. However, with this additional Progressive element, the band had lost the raw intensity that gave the music it's bite, and felt more like an unimpressive Cynic album sans Jazz. It was a nice attempt that laid out a blueprint pattern for Omnivium. It's not going to be a release that will strike with all ways of Metal life, but for some it's an experience unlike any other. It's an interesting listen, and a nice breath of fresh air, but it just doesn't really have what it takes to really grab the listener and keep him or her attentive past the first few spins.
-> Read the review of Cosmogenesis here.
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| Omnivium |
This is more like it. Omnivium, again, feels more like it's own album compared to the sound of the previous two recordings put out, but at the same time the music on this release does it's job nicely of molding the best of both worlds together. The album has more of a raw Technical Death Metal trait to it that really has a strong bite, going for the jugular of the listener, though it feels a little restrained at times, and even repetitive, also in the same vein as Retribution. However, the Progressive atmospheres here feel more at home and natural, not as forced and pushed as Cosmogenesis. However, the loss of bass on here really hurts at the end of the day. It's a fantastic move for the band that shows great promise and maturity, and if you were a fan of either previous release in any way, this one is actually well worth checking out.
-> Read the review of Omnivium here.
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At the end of the day, Obscura is a band that the Technical Death Metal style definitely can use. Right now, it's obvious the band is still trying to solidify their sound, but there's no denying the group is going to be a rather influential one in the long run. Omnivium shows the band knows what the fans want, and they are doing a good job with their progresing sound. Each CD released stands as an important entry into the band's discography, and even for the style itself in some degrees. If I had to choose an album from the discography that was the best of the three, it's actually really hard. While Retribution is a good album, Omnivium does the best job at having that same sound as their debut, but nicely merges Cosmogenesis with it, and without that second album, this impressive new release wouldn't exist. If you didn't hear Cosmogenesis, you really should listen to that one before heading out today to pick up Omnivium. If you don't, chances are good you won't enjoy this release as much the group's dedicated fans who have heard it.
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