Obsidian Mantra - As We All Will
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Via Nocturna
Obsidian Mantra is a Polish death metal band that got their start in 2014. The music presented on "As We All Will" moves beyond just the intensity of death metal and incorporates, "groove-centric, technical riffs with hazy black metal motifs." Its not too often that I will review albums that were released this far in the past. Normally I focus on new, upcoming, or just released music. With that said, I also rarely get sent music from the band themselves. In addition to that, the music Obsidian Mantra has created on "As We All Will" is worth promoting on this site. Accompanying the raw brutality expected of the genre here is an intelligent combination of vigorous maneuvers and thought-provoking variations.
"What Is Not, Is Not" starts the album out with a building stage in the beginning that moves the listener through various phases until they are bombarded with a furious onslaught of speed. Dissonant tones overlap strong rhythmic ideas here but also allow for passages of mood construction as well. The 2nd track, "Cult Of Depression" has a catching start. With a subtle melody in the beginning they allow for magic to happen with the 2nd guitar at the 11 second mark. I love that part. This song is perhaps a bit more stripped down than its predecessor. This observation is nothing short of a compliment though. "Cult Of Depression" developed in a way that was true to itself. Next, "Slave Without A Master" showcases their groove influence. Conducting itself as a punishing force, I believe the song's positive attributes reside inside the wonderful use of moving rhythms to keep the listener engaged. "Who Will Become A Murderer" picks back up with a furious death metal assault. Advancing on the listener in a threatening manner, the song quickly backs them up into a dark corner to await their harsh eventuality.
Next, "Condemned To Oppression" combines both groove and death metal's ruthlessness. It harbors a catchy quality without out resorting to monotonous predictability. I enjoy the transition around the 1:39 spot in the song. It goes into an enthralling part that stands in contrast well to the song's previous ideas. "Chaos Will Consume Us All" has an interesting movement between the guitars and the rhythm section. I enjoy how the drums bring the whole part together with the double bass. Approximately at the :26 part is an almost breakdown idea that returns again in the song. It still will appeal to those of us looking for an intelligent feel though. As with their other songs, Obsidian Mantra still incorporates those dark emotive aspects that helps define their sound. The seventh song, "Sowers Of Discord" begins with it the familiar chilling alternating guitar notes that are found elsewhere on "As We All Will". This is then joined neatly by a 2nd guitar supplying a separate rhythm. Love it. They are very much focusing again on a wild combination of a pulsing feel and harshness here. Lastly, "Weavers Of Misery" starts with a solid flow. From there, they intensify into a variation of the original idea that eventually resolves into dreary vibes and further escalating ferocity. I like the 1:09 mark and where it develops from there on. It has an captivatingly artistic swell of emotional constructions for the listener.
Again, I am normally not for reviewing albums that are not current releases, but for reasons stated earlier, "As We All Will" deserved my attention and yours. Support them!
obsidianmantra.bandcamp.com/album/as-we-all-will
www.facebook.com/ObsidianMantra/
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Via Nocturna
Obsidian Mantra is a Polish death metal band that got their start in 2014. The music presented on "As We All Will" moves beyond just the intensity of death metal and incorporates, "groove-centric, technical riffs with hazy black metal motifs." Its not too often that I will review albums that were released this far in the past. Normally I focus on new, upcoming, or just released music. With that said, I also rarely get sent music from the band themselves. In addition to that, the music Obsidian Mantra has created on "As We All Will" is worth promoting on this site. Accompanying the raw brutality expected of the genre here is an intelligent combination of vigorous maneuvers and thought-provoking variations.
"What Is Not, Is Not" starts the album out with a building stage in the beginning that moves the listener through various phases until they are bombarded with a furious onslaught of speed. Dissonant tones overlap strong rhythmic ideas here but also allow for passages of mood construction as well. The 2nd track, "Cult Of Depression" has a catching start. With a subtle melody in the beginning they allow for magic to happen with the 2nd guitar at the 11 second mark. I love that part. This song is perhaps a bit more stripped down than its predecessor. This observation is nothing short of a compliment though. "Cult Of Depression" developed in a way that was true to itself. Next, "Slave Without A Master" showcases their groove influence. Conducting itself as a punishing force, I believe the song's positive attributes reside inside the wonderful use of moving rhythms to keep the listener engaged. "Who Will Become A Murderer" picks back up with a furious death metal assault. Advancing on the listener in a threatening manner, the song quickly backs them up into a dark corner to await their harsh eventuality.
Next, "Condemned To Oppression" combines both groove and death metal's ruthlessness. It harbors a catchy quality without out resorting to monotonous predictability. I enjoy the transition around the 1:39 spot in the song. It goes into an enthralling part that stands in contrast well to the song's previous ideas. "Chaos Will Consume Us All" has an interesting movement between the guitars and the rhythm section. I enjoy how the drums bring the whole part together with the double bass. Approximately at the :26 part is an almost breakdown idea that returns again in the song. It still will appeal to those of us looking for an intelligent feel though. As with their other songs, Obsidian Mantra still incorporates those dark emotive aspects that helps define their sound. The seventh song, "Sowers Of Discord" begins with it the familiar chilling alternating guitar notes that are found elsewhere on "As We All Will". This is then joined neatly by a 2nd guitar supplying a separate rhythm. Love it. They are very much focusing again on a wild combination of a pulsing feel and harshness here. Lastly, "Weavers Of Misery" starts with a solid flow. From there, they intensify into a variation of the original idea that eventually resolves into dreary vibes and further escalating ferocity. I like the 1:09 mark and where it develops from there on. It has an captivatingly artistic swell of emotional constructions for the listener.
Again, I am normally not for reviewing albums that are not current releases, but for reasons stated earlier, "As We All Will" deserved my attention and yours. Support them!
obsidianmantra.bandcamp.com/album/as-we-all-will
www.facebook.com/ObsidianMantra/