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Sweet Oblivion - Sweet Oblivion review



Reviewer:
N/A

21 users:
7.9
Band: Sweet Oblivion
Album: Sweet Oblivion
Release date: June 2019


01. True Colors
02. Sweet Oblivion
03. Behind Your Eyes
04. Hide Away
05. My Last Story
06. A Recess From My Fate
07. Transition
08. Disconnect
09. The Deceiver
10. Seek The Light

After many years of unimpressive (very politely worded) releases either with Queensrÿche or with Operation: Mindcrime, Geoff Tate finally participates in an album that is actually good.

Let me start by saying that, despite Geoff Tate being the obvious big name in this release, the mastermind behind Sweet Oblivion is DGM guitarist Simone Mularoni. And, although it takes its name from a Screaming Trees record, this project's debut is more or less a tribute to Queensrÿche's Operation: Mindcrime and Empire albums -especially the former. Just listen to the chorus of "Sweet Oblivion" mirroring the one in "Breaking The Silence" or the beautiful ballad "Hide Away" taking its cues from "Anybody Listening?" to cast away any doubts that this album provides a musical landscape for Tate to return to a style that he made famous along with Jackson, Wilton, DeGarmo and Rockenfield.

The opening track and first video "True Colors" answers all questions regarding what this album is like. You can expect some supreme musicianship and an overall sound that revives the melodies and hooks of Queensrÿche circa 1988-90. Elements of DGM also creep up here and there, mainly in the form of Mularoni's lead guitar virtuosity as well as in the keyboard solos of his bandmate in the Italian prog metal act, Emanuele Casali (check out "Deceiver" for a tasty sample of both). Geoff Tate is obviously not getting any younger, but he can still be one of the best vocalists in heavy metal when he chooses to and this album is proof of this.

Whether there is a point or a need to reproduce something that has already been done to perfection three decades ago is debatable, but the truth is that Sweet Oblivion is a very enjoyable record from start to finish and the best thing that Tate has been involved in since Promised Land. If the review hasn't made it clear already (seriously?), Queensrÿche fans should check this one out at once, in case you haven't yet. Would you rate it higher than either Operation: Mindcrime or Empire? Of course not. Is it better than most heavy metal that comes out these days? Definitely yes.

"We lost control of our souls
And we blame the system
We want control of our world
But we won't fail again"





Written on 13.09.2019 by Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud!


Comments

Comments: 3   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 85 users
13.09.2019 - 13:31
Lanthros

I must check this out then. I honestly haven't enjoyed queensryche without Geoff nor Geoff without queensryce. This sounds promising though.
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13.09.2019 - 15:48
Rating: 8
JoHn Doe

A great album and a very pleasant surprise for me.
Nice review!
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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13.09.2019 - 23:39
nikarg

Written by Irritable Ted on 13.09.2019 at 23:20

Pretty much what I thought as well. Would disagree with which Qr albums it sounds like though. Feels more like a Promised Land follow on than Mindcrime or Empire, as tracks are all quite mid tempo, nothing fast like on Mindcrime. Probably due to his vocal limitations.
Would say that this is probably my favourite album so far this year.

I'm surprised you say that. The sound and the song structures feel totally O:M-influenced to me with a bit of Empire thrown in. I can't hear the connection with Promised Land so much. In any case, it's a very good album, we definitely agree on that
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