Band:	Obnoxious
Album:	Dismal Swarming Shape
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	November 2007
A review by:	Thryce

01. From The Depths
02. Postmortem Reprisal
03. Unstable
04. Illusion... Wakin'... Death
05. D.T.U

Every once in a while I bang my head against this certain unannounced saturation point in my taste in metal. During these certain periods all the regular stuff I listen to doesn't really appeal to me anymore, and I'm desperately in search for something new, something fresh, something I haven't quite heard before or haven't heard in a very long time. And so, that particular morning when I found "Dismal Swarming Shape" in my mailbox, the five-song EP from French Death metallers Obnoxious came up with glance to my high pitched expectations and hopes. And let me tell you, that's really something.

The first thing that immediately catches the attention here, is the high amount of utmost care and precision the band is putting in their compositions, but also in playing their instruments. Obnoxious are clearly paying a lot of attention to the various and by times complex arrangements in their sound, to the carefully structured rhythms, and to the particular atmosphere they're creating in this way. In one word, on "Dismal Swarming Shape" the guys from Obnoxious unabashedly show their abilities to setting the right tone. Obnoxious play some sort of slightly Thrashy form of mid-paced Death metal, with a lot of sense for rhythm and with the proper grooves and breakdowns, but not in the progressive or technical way, so that is all stays easily accessible and enjoyable. But most importantly the sound of Obnoxious is highly seasoned with a needful share of freshness and contagiousness, and that's exactly what I was waiting for. And if that still wasn't enough Obnoxious are on top of that also lavishly entertaining with killer solos and virile riffs. Also the top-notch vocals and ditto vocal switches contribute greatly to the positive review of this EP.
As you can see, this EP contains a lot of aspects and elements and has about everything one could possibly need in his Death metal. The only thing that's missing is you discovering this fine piece of devastating music.

Maybe this band is still too young, and this EP too short to be called a milestone. The only thing that's certain is that this is a band to look out for. Obnoxious have a lot going on and have all the potential to become a respected value in the Death metal (sub-) top. I really hope to hear more from these guys in the not so distant future, it would really be a waste of talent and effort if this band goes down in history without the recognition it absolutely deserves. Tell them I told you so.
And before I forget, if someone happens to know why I have the uncontrollable urge to listen to Severed Savior every single time I finished listening the "Dismal Swarming Shape" EP, please let me know, we obviously need to party more together from now on.