Obscura „Retribution“
recorded in the „Mastersound Studios“, August 2004
Since
I live in the more or less beautiful area of Bavaria, sometimes productions of
local bands flutter in here. Just like this one of the band "Obscura",
who`s members have sent in their album "Retribution", which has
enriched my CD collection a lot. The CD already was released (without label) in
2004, but it’s never to late for a reviews of a pure underground creation.
"Retribution ... what the hell does this remind me of!? " some of you
might wonder. And you`re right: it is the title of a Dissection song. But the
style of the Obscura album doesn't copy Dissection’s style, even if one of
their masterminds (Steffen) also plays in the band "Black Horizons" (which
is a title of Dissection too, but this band neither is a Dissection cover band,
although there are provably great Dissection fans in the band). But let´s get
back to Obscura:
The album which I hold here in my hands is something special for me because this
time it`s not their actual vocalist Steffen singing (some of you know might know
him as the bassist of "Festering Saliva"), but it’s V.Santura
singing (he`s the guitarist of the German Black Metal band "Dark Fortress").
Personally I find this rather great because I always wanted to hear his singing-
or growling- voice once. And although I didn`t really catch it why Steffen
doesn't sing although he is mentioned as the band`s vocalist in the record
cover, I like the version with V.Santura’s voice a lot ... a very raw,
mid-to-deep-pitched Death Metal voice!
The album starts with a very gentle sound (though only a couple of seconds
lasting ... maybe so you have one last chance to make up your mind, whether you
want to take care of your nerves and rather hear something less rough), before
the listener gets hit by brutal noise at once with the track
"Humankind". This is only a short taste of what maybe is to come,
though. The real kick-off is the song "Nothing" which has a little
more structure. There`s an almost catchy melody in the refrain of the song,
while the rest is indignant Death-Metal guitars and pressed singing full of hate.
In "Unhinged" however there are no more melodious vocal escapades,
here the merciless thrashy style rules.
And then it´s time for "None shall be spared". “I´ve heared that
title before as well” you might throw in. And of course you are right. It is a
song title of "Naglfar" this time. But the "None shall be spared"
song of Obscura has nothing in common with Naglfar's song at all, apart from the
title. The lyrics are also quite
different although of course the basic context is the same : no-one shall be
spared on the day of the retribution ... well, you already know! This track is
also one of the strongest of the album in my opinion. It´s very unfortunate for
me that I couldn't see this band live yet ... some parts in various tracks are
really excellently suitable for headbanging ... real Death- and also Thrash-
fans would for sure enjoy this a lot. Anyway, a large part of the album is
indeed very very thrashy fast ... you can try it but you can`t headbang to the
tact that fast, be sure of! This counts especially for the track "Alone".
Now it gets really very interesting with "Hymn to are nocturnal visitor".
The song starts fantastic (I especially like the drum lines). And then a real
surprise is waiting… it´s a CELLO within a slow melodic part following some
tempo changes! Yes, you have read correctly! A cello! Of course this gives this
passage a quite special note, something mystically and very soothing, before it
gets once more brutal towards the end of the song, without cello now of course.
You could now say: "A cello in Death-Metal! How untrue this is! " ...
but before you say this, you should give it a listen for the fairness. Perhaps
you would be happily surprised by the effect of this instrument, just like me.
In the further course of the album there are another 5 tracks drummed into your
brain, with even more energy than at the beginning of the CD. In
"Sentiment" a short but fine guitar solo expects you, it´s almost
old-school Speed Metal style. Other than that I have to mention one last
interesting part… it´s in the
track “Sweet silence”, which is instrumental only (guitar ... but electric,
not acoustic of course). With this song the album finds its peaceful ending. Oh,
and there`s one more bonustrack ("Lack of comprehension"), providing
some outstanding guitar work, and one last time it gets very noisy before the
album comes to its finale.
"Retribution"
all in all is a solid Death-Metal production with quite a number of thrashy
parts and slightly misanthropic BM-lyrics. The quality of the sound is not
always a 100% perfect, but you can´t avoid this in self-productions,
unfortunately! That`s why I hope the band will get a good record deal one day to
be able to produce proper albums, as I could really imagine that you`d love
their music, especially at live gigs. I´m sure the boys would knock you off of
your feet.
If you have the
possibility to buy the album for less than 10,- Euros, then go for it (especially
if you`re a dedicated Death Metal fan), because it´s fresh and new stuff of a
young and talented band.
Recommended track: "Hymn to a nocturnal visitor" / www.obscura-metal.com
score: 6,5 out of 10 points (Review: Twilightheart)