Brown Jenkins - Death Obsession - review

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Brown Jenkins - Death Obsession - review

Cover image of the reviewed item
Band
Brown Jenkins
Album
Death Obsession
Style
Black metal, Doom metal
Release date
November 24, 2009
Reviewer
7.5
7.1
Tracklist
01. Breathless
02. Ashes In Her Mouth
03. Lifetaker
04. Lords Of Suicide
05. Hopeless, Godlike
06. Bluebird
07. We Disappear
A review by
Lucas
December 05, 2009
A band that recently popped out of nowhere, got raving reviews, then disappeared again is Brown Jenkins. Dagonite and Angel Eyes really impressed me and the majority of the Doom/Black & Depressive Black metal scene, then Brown Jenkins decided to call it quits in November '08. A final swansong in the form of the aptly titled Death Obsession has to lessen our grief now. So, does it?

<<< We interrupt this review with a sound description in order to achieve a cliffhanger-effect. >>>

Death Obsession opens in the best tradition of Brown Jenkins. Droning, sharp and ice-cold distortion fills the space that surrounds you. They're not really the center of this recording though, the bass is. While the guitars strike down with hail and haze, the bass provides solid ground and from a certain perspective, the riffs. With their strong position in the mix and their booming sound, they provide rhythm, riffs and melody all at the same time. Quite unusual. UA's drumwork has been mixed to the back of the recording but from the looks of it, we're not missing out. Simple pacekeeping is what they are supposed to do and that's exactly what they do. Leaves us the vocals to discuss, which are sparse low death-growls this time. They're not as obscure as they once were. In fact, the entire album -although still a mix of (Funeral) Doom and Black metal- is not as obscure as this band once was.

I told you cliffhangers are annoying.

<<< Apologies. You may proceed reading this review. >>>

Well, not really. Or perhaps it does. It is not as good as Angel Eyes, and definitely not as good as Dagonite. No final masterpiece, no ultimate swansong, but no everlasting decline in quality either. 'Cause let's face it: Brown Jenkins peaked with Dagonite (earliest I've heard) and went downhill after that. Not rapidly, not much, but downhill after all. Good bye!
Rating breakdown
Performance: 8
Songwriting: 7
Originality: 6
Production: 8
Written on 05.12.2009 by
Lucas
Written on 05.12.2009 by
Lucas
If you're interested in extreme, often emotional and underground music, check out my reviews. I retired from reviewing, but I really used to be into that stuff.
More reviews by Lucas ››

Comments

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Comments: 3 Visited by 53 users
Bas
Retired Staff
Elite

Posts: 5591
Permalink
13.12.2009 - 21:58
Bas
Retired Staff
Elite

Posts: 5591


I was already thinking I heard the name Brown Jenkins before, now I remember where
http://www.brownejenkyn.com/hplovecraft.html (Dreams in the Witch-House)
----
BAS - Beautifully Accented Sexiness
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Lucas
Mr. Noise
Elite

Posts: 13427
Permalink
13.12.2009 - 22:21
Rating: 7
Lucas
Mr. Noise
Elite

Posts: 13427


Written by Bas on 13.12.2009 at 21:58

I was already thinking I heard the name Brown Jenkins before, now I remember where :p
http://www.brownejenkyn.com/hplovecraft.html (Dreams in the Witch-House)

Yep, I mentioned that in previous reviews, didn't it'd be necessary to mention it again.
----
SLUDGE. DOOM. DEATH. Wait, what?

"The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." - Barack Obama
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Posts: 4
Permalink
21.01.2011 - 15:20

Posts: 4
The most interesting aspect of this band is that they achieved a status where their sound is recognizable. I doubt the quality of the music faded and i doubt that this album is the lowest. Interestingly enough this album, for me, represents the essence of their work. They keep their obscurity and make quality music nevertheless. My opinion is that they shifted a little towards funeral doom and thus making some fans uneasy with the "new" sound. It's a subjective matter. Nice review anyway.
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