• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

September 2023

• Rockett Love: Galactic Circus
• Kerrigan: Bloodmoon
• Taz: Shipwrecked, Vol 2
• Taz: Wake Up & Sweat, Vol 1
• Ronnie Romero: Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters
• The Flower Kings: Look At You Now
• Vega: Battlelines
• Blackbird Angels: Solsorte
• Primal Fear: Code Red
• Eclipse: Megalomanium
• Seventh Wonder: Mercy Falls (Reissue 2008/2023)
• Seventh Wonder: The Great Escape (Reissue 2010/2023)

August 2023

• Hurricane: Reconnected
• U.D.O.: Touchdown
• Streetlight: Ignition
• Sarayasign: The Lion's Road
• Neal Morse: The Dreamer - Joseph - Part One
• Rian: Wings
• Icon Of Sin: Legends
• Lancer: Tempest
• King Kobra: We Are Warriors
• Dark Sky: Signs Of The Time
• Hell In The Club: F.U.B.A.R.
• Kent Hilli: Nothing Left To Lose

July 2023

• Turkish Delight: Volume Two
• Winterstorm: Everfrost
• Scream Maker: Land Of Fire
• James Robledo: Broken Soul
• Houston: Relaunch III
• All For Metal: Legends
• Withering Scorn: Prophets Of Demise
• Bloodbound: Tales From The North
• Kikimora: For A Broken Dime
• Degreed: Public Address

June 2023

• Night Legion: Fight Or Fall
• Midnite City: In At The Deep End
• Pyramaze: Bloodlines
• Shakra: Invincible
• Vypera: Race Of Time
• Stardust: Kingdom Of Illusion
• Pride Of Lions: Dream Higher
• Joel Hoekstra's 13: Crash Of Life
• The Defiants: Drive
• Ray Alder: II
• Art Nation: Inception
• False Memories: Hybrid Ego System

[ More Music Reviews ]

Nevermore: The Obsidian Conspiracy

Thrash/Heavy Metal

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Century Media
www.myspace.com/nevermorefans
www.nevermore.tv
Review: Miguel Blardony,  04.11.2010

The world is a terrible place and The Termination Proclamation proves a fitting anthem for all the nightmares humans inflict on each other. As its rumbling pace grooves along to Warrel Dane's cryptic utterances, the melody shifts for a chorus whose final declaration could be every nihilists credo: “Prepare for death/Forget will!”On its final stretch of music, a blistering guitar solo erupts and then ... zip.

Such is the auspicious beginning of The Obsidian Conspiracy. Nope, it's not a concept album, but it sure is one bad mother from start to finish. Five long years since the Seattle quintet knocked the world on its ass, it's heartwarming to hear they aren't going about a long overdue follow up the lazy way. Tracks such as Moonrise, Your Poison Throne, Without Morals, and Emptiness Unobstructed are fast-paced affairs armed with razor-sharp riffs from the peerless Jeff Loomis, who can execute memorable guitar fireworks at will—just wait for the glorious climax of Without Morals.

Contrasting its fuzzier moments, And The Maiden Spoke spins a macabre yarn whose underlying menace could render King Diamond's own horror-themed antics obsolete. And The Maiden Spoke is a serious contender for the album's best song; to hear Nevermore weave compelling narrative and furious music together is a wonder to behold. The rest of the album's high points are found among its slower cuts; whether it's the heartrending The Blue Marble And The New Soul or the doom laden The Day You Built The Wall whose lyrical scorn gives extra dramatic effect to its weepy guitar solo.

Nevermore are in impeccable form throughout The Obsidian Conspiracy and to nitpick minor details would be stupid. As a complete package, their newest album is a world-beater. From Warrel Dane's villainous vocals; the machinelike efficiency of Van William's drumming; Jim Sheppard's testicular bass lines (let's not forget Mr. Loomis too); Nevermore have made it harder for everyone else aspiring to their league. Ladies and gentlemen, let it be writ that 'Seattle's Best' is a title no longer reserved for a coffee franchise. The Obsidian Conspiracy is beyond recommended. It's a must! All hail Nevermore!

Ladies and gentlemen, let it be writ that 'Seattle's Best' is a title no longer reserved for a coffee franchise. The Obsidian Conspiracy is beyond recommended. It's a must! All hail Nevermore!

Alphabetical Index

Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]