If I'm being honest, the new single sounds like Technical Gothenburg to me. Guess it makes sense since they're adding more melodic elements again. On it's own, I do like it, but not a whole lot. Doesn't get me super hyped for the album. Still looking forward to it though.

Written by (o> . <o> ) on 20.11.2024 at 19:33

If I'm being honest, the new single sounds like Technical Gothenburg to me. Guess it makes sense since they're adding more melodic elements again. On its own, I do like it, but not a whole lot. Doesn't get me super hyped for the album. Still looking forward to it though.

Totally agree on all counts. Well said about Technical Gothenburg.

The singles released so far sound like demos. I really don't like the mix.

Muenzner is now backing up Weber's claims that, for this album, Obscura used "material that was not written by the band and which they had no right to use."

I didn't want to enjoy it, but, sadly, I do.

Written by bloodwrage on 14.01.2025 at 17:51

Muenzner is now backing up Weber's claims that, for this album, Obscura used "material that was not written by the band and which they had no right to use."

I for one really don't care. The bullying & harassment in the Facebook comments is beyond ridiculous.

The double layered left-right mixed vocals definitely give this a Gothenburg vibe. The catchy, modern metalcore choruses don't really fit IMO, however it's impossible to deny the talent showcased. The guitar and bass work is unbelievable.

This is mind blowing on a technical level, but usually this kind of stuff (and especially music from the artists associated with this project) is hard to listen to unless I can give it a dedicated listen with no interruptions. I still feel it a bit with this one but it’s definitely more melodic than I was expecting. Definitely will be revisiting this down the road. Drama aside, I think it’s awesome from a musical standpoint though, few artists can play the way these guys can.

Great record maybe the best from Obscura

I'm surprised by just how good this is, it might well be the band's best release to date, it's certainly their most melodic and accessible and far less complex than what I've heard from the band previously. Incredible bass work and solo's and outstanding production as usual.

Listened to it for the first time this morning.
It is quite enjoyable but has a few downs.

-Guitar Solos are really forgettable IMO
-The drums are too far behind in the mix and was looking for something more tasty from James Stewart
-Overall mix sounds too noisy, but I might have to relisten to it on CD

Some ups:
-Definitely more melodic and I don't mind it
-Bass lines are stellar throughout the record

Not their best work to date by far but still fun.
Diluvium is still their masterpiece for me.

I love the new melodic direction after listening for a few spins. Someone mentioned it makes it feel closer to Gothenburg and I completely agree with that. Cool album. Also, amazing cover art.

Not sure why everyone is talking about the "new" melodicism, the last album was already Gothenburg on steroids (and I loved it)

Written by Jaro on 09.02.2025 at 16:13

Not sure why everyone is talking about the "new" melodicism, the last album was already Gothenburg on steroids (and I loved it)

Yeah, my thought exactly. I wouldn't say I "loved" it but you're definitely right.

I don't know how to cope with the recent string of disappointments. Bands I could rely on for consistency are dropping the ball left and right

I think this might be their attempt at accessibility and...I think they succeeded more than they intended. It sounds so watered down that even the barebones elements sound learned by rote. Some of the songs were so rough I had to skip the last 30sec-1min. There's a marked improvement on the last three tracks, but even those pale in comparison with others in their discog.

Without a doubt their worst album since...actually this is it. The worst one. They peaked with Diluvium as Alshain said.

Written by LeKiwi on 09.02.2025 at 23:56

I don't know how to cope with the recent string of disappointments. Bands I could rely on for consistency are dropping the ball left and right

I think this might be their attempt at accessibility and...I think they succeeded more than they intended. It sounds so watered down that even the barebones elements sound learned by rote. Some of the songs were so rough I had to skip the last 30sec-1min. There's a marked improvement on the last three tracks,, but even those pale in comparison with others in their discog.

Without a doubt their worst album since...actually this is it. The worst one. They peaked with Diluvium as Alshain said.

Was Diluvium really "peak" Obscura though? Imo they peaked on their second effort and it went slowly downhill from there. Don't get me wrong, I do love me some Omnivium as well...

There's really no album by them that I enjoy more than Cosmogenesis. Maybe it's the nostalgia speaking but that's how I see it.

Written by Guib on 10.02.2025 at 00:01

Was Diluvium really "peak" Obscura though? Imo they peaked on their second effort and it went slowly downhill from there.

There's really no album by them that I enjoy more than Cosmogenesis. Maybe it's the nostalgia speaking but that's how I see it.

I listened to Cosmogenesis and Omnivium back when I was more...impressionable, so sure enough those two left a certain je ne sais quoi on my brain...i.e. as you said, it feels nostalgic to listen to them. I do think they will still trying to figure things out at that point so the albums sounds a little rough in places...doesn't flow as well as I'd like.

Written by LeKiwi on 10.02.2025 at 00:07

Written by Guib on 10.02.2025 at 00:01

I listened to Cosmogenesis and Omnivium back when I was more...impressionable, so sure enough it left a certain je ne sais quoi on my brain...i.e. as you said, it feels nostalgic to listen to it. I do think they will still trying to figure things out at that point so the album sounds a little rough in places...doesn't flow as well as I'd like.

Who knows, maybe that's why I love it more. It's rougher, maybe you could say a little more on the raw side, still requiring a bit of cooking. I tend to enjoy that lol. When a band kinda found its sound but not quite yet... Know what I mean? It's the sweet spot for creativity. Anyways, nostalgia is always a big factor wether we like it or not.

Written by Guib on 10.02.2025 at 00:10

When a band kinda found its sound but not quite yet... Know what I mean? It's the sweet spot for creativity.

Reminds me of Leprous' TPS: masterpiece for me, but I've heard others write it off as amateur.

Quote:

Anyways, nostalgia is always a big factor wether we like it or not.

It sure fuelled some interesting discussions regarding albums I heard during those impressionable years.

More than a little bit tangential so I'll leave it at that

It's fine I guess. Big Obscura fan but this is for sure their most underwhelming album imo. I still enjoy half the tracks on here especially tracks 5 and 7. The instrumental work remains spectacular, it's just the song writing falls flat and becomes a bit boring sometimes.

Starts well, gets very boring very fast. Most uninspired album of Obscura so far.

I just can’t find myself caring about this project without Münzner (or Grossman for that matter). It’s easy to tell he really held the sound together.

I love both tech and prog death but I never particularly liked this band. But this another story altogether because it sounds like cookie cutter melodeath to me