Ah Finland, home of some of the hottest metal music these last few years. Obscurant play a very polished form of symphonic and progressive death metal, with touches of doom and goth thrown in for good measure, and First Degree Suicide is their second release. This four piece, made up of Jarvinen on drums, Luukainen on lead guitar, vocals, and bass, Simonen on synths, and Kaakkolahti on rhythm guitar, really are effective at conjuring up some headbanging stuff here with a slightly eerie edge, with plenty of over the top synths, crushing guitars, and growling vocals. Somewhere between Dark Tranquility, Moonspell, Opeth, and a less speedy Children of Bodom is the best way I can describe the music of Obscurant, but honestly their style is pretty refreshing, as they are using the symphonic characteristic much like black metal bands like Dimmu Borgir and Borknagar do, but within a death metal framework. There's no shortage of killer tunes here, like the highly progressive and melodic "Light From Above", the powerful and orchestral "Blinded By Love", and the rampaging brutality of "In the End". The overabundance of atmospheric elements adds a nice warm touch to every song, and even though the songs are extremely heavy, the symphonic nature tempers things a little bit.
First Degree Suicide is an excellent sophomore release from a band that should catch on with some marketing exposure and touring. Give this one a try, you won't regret it.
Track Listing
1) In the End
2) The Redemption
3) Guardian Angel
4) First Degree Suicide
5) A Wasteland
6) Light From Above
7) Blinded By Love
8) Dead Calm Surface
9) 170603 (memoir)
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