Obzen

Nuclear Blast

The highly anticipated sixth full length studio effort from Sweden’s non melodic Death Metal leaders has finally arrived. Obzen the tantalizing new work of technical genius finds the band at the pinnacle of success as it delivers their most cohesive undertaking to date. Complete with an overzealous attitude, intellectual and philosophically authoritarian demeanor and artwork that will undeniably make even the most liberal lovers of abstract art cringe with pain and fear, Obzen is smart Metal at its finest.

The art and title premise behind the CD is revealed by drummer Tomas Haake stating that “it is a reflection of sorts where man has come to terms with his wicked and bloody legacy and found an inner peace of mind in the midst of chaos, the lotus position with all the blood (paraphrased). Aggressive as hell as is the nature of the beast the albums strong points include the first single “Bleed”, which reacts like a punch in the face and ends with the aftermath of the body’s shock and awe, “Combustion”, the explosive first track that ultimately set the pace for what is to follow and a personal favorite “Pravus” which rides high on the completely ballistic scale at a steady 10 from start to finish.

Without a doubt Meshuggah have once again proven their divine importance and worth to the Metal world with Obzen and are sure to remain primary contenders for the title of most maltreating band to dominate the Metal masses in 2008.

-Priest