Obscura is a German band founded in 2002 in Munich. They can be classified in the same field of Necrophagist and Beyond Creation, progressive-technical Death metal.
His first record was a demo called “Illegimitation”, released in 2003 and reissued in 2012. It was distributed by the same band. Following this, in 2006 Obscura released "Retribution", but the best came when the group signed with Relapse Records, with which still are nowadays.
His upcoming two albums, “Cosmogenesis” (2009) and “Omnivium” (2011), will be released by Relapse Records, and the previous work, “Retribution” was reissued with an alternative cover in 2010. 5 years after “Omnivium”, Obscura will release his fifth work, “Akroasis”.
"Akroasis" is opened by the single "Sermon Of The Seven Suns". It has a very strong start but as the song progresses introduces more melodic elements. Arriving to halfof the song, is given prominence to the guitar and bass solos, an element which is never forgoten in any obscura album.
"The Monist" changes the line which "Sermon Of ..." was drawing for 7 minutes long. A powerful voice breaks the song, followed by very technical riffs, but soon returns to the usual voice, using vocal effects and giving symphonic touches. Towards the middle of the song there is a "break", where the Metal is left aside and where you only can listen to Jazz. The bass has a starring role.
We reached the third song, the title track that names the album. From the outset the guitars are aggressive and soon, the bass does sound accompanied by a guitar solo. "Akróasis" is a very direct, very fast track, has many changes and probably is the most similar song to the style of "Obscura".
"Ten Sepiroth" is the "filler" track on the album, has nothing flashy except starting with a clean guitars. We arrived at "Ode To The Sun", the less progressive and the heaviest song on the album, or so it seems. As usual in Obscura, introduce melodic elements as the song progresses it is not unusual, and this case is no exception, in fact, it is one of the softer songs of Obscura.
We arrived at "Fractal Dimension", we have heard half the record and believe that nothing could surprise us, wrong. This seventh song returns to the roots of the group, being purely technical-progressive. For finishing, "Perpetual Infinity" introduce us into a space environment, you feel like you're in another dimension.
The last song of "Akroasis" is called “Weltseele”, the longest made by Obscura. Acoustic start, quiet, neither slow neither fast start, creates a stage, a place of peace. Bass guitars accompanies giving much volume to the song. The song starts very powerful, and here are heard some of the best riffs composed Obscura. On the fifth minute, there is a complete change of pace, again leaving aside Death metal and embark on his most symphonic riffs. Five minutes later they return to Death, although follows the symphonic trail of Obscura.
Final conclusion: "Akroasis" is not the best Obscura album, but not the worst, Obscura hasn't any bad records. It’s not repetitive but it's not innovative also, although the last song is not just the most worked song of the album, is the most worked song of their entire discography.
If you don’t like the previous Obscura album, you won’t like this too, however, if you are a true fan of them, you'll love it.
Favourite songs: Akroasis, Fractal Dimension, Weltseele.
Available on CD, 2LP and digital download through Bandcamp.
Bandcamp: https://obscura.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealmOfObscura
