From the depth of hell to the clouds of heaven.

I don’t hear very many bands from Australia but when I do, they’re pretty intense. Ne Obliviscaris isn’t the average metal band and to be honest, they’re not the average sounding death metal/Black Metal/whatever metal sub-genre. What separates this band from others is the composition of songs. The composition of their music relates to the way Opeth arranges music, although the band does not sound like Opeth in the least, I would like to draw this only comparison.

It’s hard to describe each individual song, it would be like trying to compare London to Paris being that they’re both large cities with rich cultures as are the songs on this album. In nearly each song, there’s everything one could expect from a great metal band, fast and hard guitars, excellent technique and style, solos galore, drumming that would make any band proud, very fast, very technical, perfect drumming, so perfect, one would think it’s a drum machine. The bass I couldn’t really hear that well in the mix, although I admit, I’ve only listened to this CD via headphones, the singing, mostly it’s of the growling technique mixed in with traditional singing.

I cannot over emphasize the composition. For a few minutes, they’ll sound like a multilayered death-metal the next minute; they’ll have this acoustic interlude that baffles all belief. The music this band creates will take the listener from the depth of hell to the clouds of heaven, from the city streets to the beach. The band’s music is completely unpredictable when one hears it for the first time. My only issue with it, I can’t imagine seeing this band play at a bar or a small club, I could imagine this band playing an auditorium where people would sit and listen instead of on their feet. My problem with this, is musical application, what can one do while listening to this music? Maybe play a video game, or a long uninterrupted drive home, but that’s it. The songs are really long, so if the listener likes bands that put out the type of music I am describing to you, then you’ll totally dig Ne Obliviscaris.

This is another one of those “hard to rate” bands because the music is quite excellent, the musicianship is excellent, the variety within the music, is fantastic, so what am I complaining about? Songs are too long and I can’t work out to them and I can’t quick put them on, this is one of those “long listen” bands where if you have the attention span for, I don’t (I at least admit it). Some people ask, why I rate the way I do, so I’ll briefly explain: 10-if the music hits me on an emotional level, very few get 10’s, 9- I can’t stop listening to this music and it will remain in my rotation for a long time, 8-Good stuff, I’ll listen to it on occasion, it’ll be in my rotation for a little while, 7-It’s good, it’s not terrible, has potential, 6-It’s alright I guess, I have my complaints, 5-Really? This is it? 4-This band doesn’t totally suck but they’re really not that good 3-I really don’t care for this band, 2- really don’t like at all 1- Fucking suck, I’ve heard garage bands better than this!

I would have to give this album a 7.5 based on the criteria I’ve listed above.

Although, I will point out that if you like music where the songs are long and technical, this band will likely be a 9 for you.

written by  Matthew Haumschild   www.facebook.com/matthaumschild