Album Review: Obscura-Omnivium

German tech-death juggernauts Obscura really didn't catch my attention until earlier this year. I had heard so many good things about this band that I just couldn't ignore them anymore. I am so fucking glad I finally checked them out, Omnivium is one of the best albums of 2011.

Omnivium is nothing short of a musical spectacle. Obscura's technical precision is off the charts. From the face-melting guitar solos to the insane blast beats to the godlike use of fretless bass, Omnivium will leave you in awe at how much talent Obscura has. Obscura is not only gifted technically, they are also great songwriters. There are many twists and turns in their music and they are able to transition seamlessly between calm progressive sections to crushing heaviness at the drop of a hat ( Album opener "Septuagint" is a prime example of this.) Omnivium is a lot more ambitious than their previous outing Cosmogenesis. The progressive elements are a lot more prominent this time around. The enhanced focus on the progressive side of their music has made Obscura a better band. Their music is more varied and better written than ever before. That's not to say that Obscura's music still isn't heavy, it's heavy as a motherfucker, it's just more progressive and refined than their previous material.

Omnivium is the crowning achievement of Obscura's career thus far. It's faster, better written, and more progressive than their previous work. This is a band that is becoming a force to be reckoned with. This is a must-listen for fans of progressive and technical death metal, you don't hear album this good in the genre very often. Omnivium is a lock for my year-end top 20.
4/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Septuagint
2.Celestial Spheres
3.Velocity