Review: Obscura 'A Sonication' (melodic/technical death metal)

Join Pete Pardo for a review of the new album from German death metal act Obscura, 'A Sonication'. #obscura

[rogertemple]

I've seen some of their videos on YouTube and I'll be listening to this new album from Obscura thanks for the great review of it.🎶📻🎶

[danielgorman]

If you want a great death metal album, listen to the new Phrenelith album. Would be awesome to see a review of that one after you listen to it. Cheers!

[Drumdude]

I'll check these guys out too, Pete! Thanks !

[garyjoyce]

Thank you for the Thursday review. Pete great honest 3/5. 👍💯

[BenevolentBees]

Obscura's music has declined since Steffen completed his quadrilogy of concept albums. A Valediction was solid but lacked the technical intensity of their earlier work, and A Sonication feels like an even further dilution of their formula. However, I've really enjoyed the musicians who have passed through Obscura’s ever-changing lineup. Many of them have gone on to form their own bands, which I think have been far more creatively inspired in recent years. ; wholeheartedly agree with your take on the album as well.

[kowalsolosolo]

Good band. Their previous album was not bad, I will probably check out this newest album soon.

[philip-edwardphillis]

What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding the album?

[joerocks]

Personally i like the 2 previous albums more. But still good.

[PeterSpalda]

still enjoyable, but can in no way hold a candle to the likes of Cosmogenesis and Omnivium... no Christian no fun... good thing the debut album of Retromorphosis (aka Spawn of Possession reborn) is coming out today ♥♥♥

[gwts]

I've never been much of a tech death guy, but I like a lot of the Obscura stuff. I guess it makes sense seeing as how Gorguts are one of the tech death bands that I really like. I don't like mellow death though, so this one may not do it for me. I'll check it out though, for sure. Thanks, Pete!
Edit after listening to some clips: this one is a skip for me. It's OK, but not really what I'm looking for. Way too mellow for me. I'd give it a 2.5/5 at best.

[Sirdamienfrost]

Melodic death metal? Sounds like his two bands are merging stylistically into one.

I haven't listened to any samples off this, I will pick it up as I like albums #2 to 6. Yet, your review indicates there may be little fuel left in the tank.

Coincidently, I got the Obsidious debut yesterday. Its inevitable I will be drawing comparisons.

[dtltmtgt]

I agree Pete, this one didn't live up for me unfortunately.

[metalmikebot]

Agreed overall on the review. Even overlooking Steffen's plagiarism, it's just a very mid-tier technical death metal album that doesn't hold up to their previous albums. It was clearly rushed in every respect, resulting in the album being too short and many of the ideas being repetitive and uninteresting. But the thing that really sinks this album for me is that the production is so bad that the album is actually uncomfortable to listen to at times. The mix is noisy, with lead guitars drowning out the rest of the band, limp drums, and lots of really weird editing mistakes. It's a shockingly amateur production considering Fredrick Nordstrom produced it. I'm surprised he'd want to put his name to such a mess.

[fqrtpbu]

Oh well..They had a good run, maybe they will bounce back.

[damonstewart]

Shouldn't of gotten rid of Christian 😢

[nelopym]

Allegaeon has a much better album in this genre this year.

[zeprls]

Pete, do a most overrated series. Get the gang to do a top 3 overrated singer, guitarist, drummer and band. 4 shows. Would be