Obscura: Omnivium

This is the German quartet, Obscura.

They've just released Omnivium which is a worthy release because 2 of the most talented players in extreme music are in this band.

One of them is the fleet fingered Christian Muenzner (yes, he endorses Ibanez). His techniques & choice of notes are sublime.

The other is the unquestionable, fretless bass wizard, Jeroen Paul Thesseling. Sounds familiar? That's because you've heard him before in Pestilence's Spheres album.

Omnivium is an interesting release because you might deem them repulsive after hearing the opening title, Septuagint; it's too metal-core. Think Shadows Fall. But that's the initial brush with all things intense & technical. Persevere & you'll hear the Morbid Angel & Cynic influences in the mix but these lads aren't doing the cut-paste in terms of ideas. They hold their own & Omnivium proves to be a redemption of sorts especially after you've heard its predecessor, Cosmogenesis. This is definitely one of my favourites for 2011.