Since the release of the outstanding Omnivium in 2011 talented bass player Jeroen Paul Thesseling departed Obscura to be replaced by Linus Klausenitzer. Moving forward to 2014 which then saw the departure of two accomplished musicians in drummer Hannes Grossmann and guitarist Christian Muenzner. Guitarist Tom Geldschläger joined the band for a short time which then led to the inclusion of Rafael Trujillo who is actually a jazz specialist and on drums Sebastian Lanser of the jazz-metal group Panzerballett was also recruited, they join band founder guitarist/vocalist Steffen Kummerer. Despite this turn of events Obscura haven't faltered in the slightest with another outstanding release titled Akroasis, the third part of a four part concept series that began with Cosmogenesis.
Five years since that last album Obscura are once again delivering a flawless display of technical mastery on this latest work. Like the metal pioneers Death and others such as the technical death metal group Pyscrotpic, Obscura show that you can still push the boundaries presenting mind-blowing songs that are also quite catchy. Akroasis continues the evolution of Obscura's sound, and as the band have new members with that comes an added fresh input. Tempo wise Akroasis isn't as full throttle as Omnivium, though the blast beats still play a role.
The versatility of those involved allows for such an unpredictable album which closes with the varied and monster track at over fifteen minutes "Weltseele" this goes through many changes. "Sermon Of The Seven Suns" shows the many sides of Obscura, it's technical,varying in intensity, adventurous, tempo shifting, and the guitars are quite melodic. Bassist Linus Klausenitzer has his time to shine also and doesn't waste it, this is one band that have the bass sound right where it should be. Sebastian Lanser gets active for the introduction to "The Monist", his playing on this track and the rest of Akroasis is simply outstanding. Sebastian lays down so many cool patterns and extra touches like when he mirrors the guitars on his cymbals while his kick drums power along at the crushing start of the amazing "Ode To The Sun". That demolishing metal component of this track actually makes me think of the band Immolation, and Steffen Kummerer's vocals are once again most venomous. I also have to mention the guitars which are equally as impressive and varied on Akroasis from demolishing riffs to tasteful acoustic inclusions.
This is an amazing album from the German progressive death metal group, and I have no hesitation in awarding Akroasis with my first five star rating of 2016.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. Sermon Of The Seven Suns
2. The Monist
3. Akroasis
4. Ten Sepiroth
5. Ode To The Sun
6. Fractal Dimension
7. Perpetual Infinity
8. Weltseele
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