22 « March « 2019 « The RingMaster Review

Praise and acclaim always has more force when it is delivered with a flurry of excitement and this is the fuel to our words on the new album from Greek metallers Obzerv. A ferocious cauldron come unpredictable kaleidoscope of sound embracing a broad landscape of metal, Acherontia Atropos is an irresistible voracious predator revelling in a world heading to its own end of days.

Maybe the triumph of Acherontia Atropos is not as major surprise as it could have been thanks to a debut album five years ago which awoke the metal scene to the Rethymno, Crete hailing outfit. Released via Greek label Trailblazer Records, it too garnered potent attention and recognition the way of the band but in hindsight merely sowed the seeds to the ravenous craft, ruthless temptation, and imagination bred agility of its successor.

Cast in the threads of modern metal lined with progressive imagination and rich technical dexterity, and with glorious artwork to match, Acherontia Atropos needed mere breaths to have ears and intrigue closely involved as opener, That Defining Moment followed its initial coaxing sonic lures with an imposing trespass of power and sound. Despite the threat of that thick infringement there is only invitation to its nature and adventure in the textures making up its incitement. Dextrous rhythms drive and shape the compelling wall of sound, they too as tempting in their swing as punishing in a touch bound in the compelling, bewitching wires of guitar. With the equally ravening tones of Nikos soon adding their dissonance, it is a creative maelstrom which proved very easy to be sucked into.

A riveting rousing start to the album not to mention an appetite inflaming one, it is backed up by the just as dynamic Apex Predator. The tapestry of style and imagination of the first is matched in the individual character and presence of the second, a track even more feral and craving in its gait and urgency. Essences of death, groove and progressive metal, to mention just a few, unite in the track’s creative web; it’s stabbing riffs, bass groove, and sonic lattice of flavours casting an adroit tempest which effortlessly got under the skin.

Mother Nature Is a Serial Killer followed with a gentle coaxing of the senses, the melodic beckoning of guitar a quickly captivating intimation within which a surge of riffs brews, coming closer by the half breath before leading in another entangled incitement of texture, sound, and discontent; the latter a fire of vocal enmity. Of course as the song evolves cleaner and harsher elements become involved as that unpredictability already invigorating the first pair infests song and imagination to magnetic effect; it’s still discontent soaked calms as poignant and striking as its hostile ravishes of ears. Obzerv’s sound is wonderfully hard to pin down in a few words and the multi-flavoured roar of this song just epitomises that inescapable lure.

New single Agitated is next up and in comparison makes a far more familiar and straight forward proposition though subsequent swirling grooves and unstable movement in rhythms and gait soon bring a strong temptation to the boil. Eventually rolling with almost barbarous appetite, bass and drums enslaved as sonic discord unites with melodic acidity around again a great mercurial vocal delivery; together all flourishing in ebbs and flows of capricious enterprise and threat.

Lyrical and vocal exploration of apocalyptic and nightmarish depths in a self-destructing world is as unappeasable as daring is dauntless in the surround sounds; both in full bloom within the epic Overthrown. Over nine minutes of the darkest shadows and intent it is a track as prone to be claustrophobic and suffocating as it is melodically seductive and imaginatively mesmeric. Volatility lines every second and breath, the track ever ready to scar and blister as it is to melodically romanced and imaginatively compelled eager attention. At its vast length maybe it is a touch too long yet with every inventive note and resourceful intrusion it is impossible to say it came anywhere near to outstaying is welcome or left intrigue looking ahead.

Through the rapacious rock ‘n roll bred corrosive metal conflagration of Thought and Voice and the prowling doom aired, carnivorously devouring Desensitise, the album gripped with tighter tenacity; both tracks riveted in their individual and imaginatively twisted clamours of observational restlessness, sonic exasperation and downright animosity aiding the second as it provided another major moment among plenty across the release.

The final incensed dance of Acherontia Atropos begins with Stage Chrysalis, a track which initially simmers in sonic and melodic vexing before emerging a searing caustic serenade, and closes with the predatory stalking of the listener that is Plot Twist. A track which discontentedly prowls even when unleashing its more physical rancour, it makes for a glorious, manipulative infestation of body and senses and indeed for a striking conclusion to one thrilling encounter.

We expect Acherontia Atropos to lead Obzerv into major European recognition and certainly into the greedy clutches of a whole new horde of fans; we suggest being among them.

Acherontia Atropos is released April 5^th with pre-ordering now available @ https://obzerv.bandcamp.com/album/acherontia-atropos

https://www.facebook.com/obzervband http://obzervband.com/

Pete RingMaster 21/03/2019

Its press release calls Crossroad, the debut album from Italian outfit Upanishad, “…a trip, an adventure, physical and dreamlike.” It has also been a journey for the band to reach the point of its release and a collection of ups and downs with experiences which have undoubtedly gone into one fascinating, captivating, and refreshingly imaginative encounter.

Hailing from Florence, Upanishad began in 2000 and quickly began breeding their own unique sound from a blend of rock, punk and indie flavours. The following decade saw a first EP which sparked attention and opportunities, departures and additions to the band’s line-up, and live success leading to greater moments and chances. The departure of members in 2010 as the band prepared work on a first album saw Upanishad go on hiatus for a couple of years before two of its founders in vocalist/guitarist Vanni Raul Bagaladi and drummer Lapo Zini resurrected the project; bringing in bassist Mirko Bazzocchi to complete the band’s line-up. Quickly writing new songs, the band found, whilst still embracing those earlier hues that their sound was quickly embracing a new and richer as well as broader flavoured character with bold imagination aligned to technical adventure. It is a mix now making their debut full-length one truly fascinating proposal and one which just seems to grow in ears and appetite by the play.

Crossroad opens up with Look At You and instantly had attention on board as the bass of Bazzocchi alone lays down enough intrigue carrying bait to hook any appetite. A sonic swirl gathers in the background as it beckons, eventually sparking a further melodic enticement through the guitar of Bagaladi whose vocals I turn make swift company to the already magnetic incitement. Though slim in body it is a union thick in spicing and tempting which revels in the web of hues making up increasingly and creatively agitated not forgetting irresistible rock ‘n’ roll.

This Room follows and instantly hits its own alluring stroll with unpredictability oozing from every pore, a proposal gaining momentum by the second as the song grows, twists and reveals its mischievous invention. Like a fusion of T-Rex, Pere Ubu, and Mucho Tapioca as psychedelic and progressive imagination collude in rock ambition, the track is a voracious cosmopolitan sounding adventure exploring fresh skies and earths simultaneously.

Quickly establishing itself as one of the album’s truly tantalising moments it is quickly matched by the daring rock ‘n’ roll of Feelings. The band’s latest single, the track launches through ears on gnarly riffs entwined in Red Hot Chili Peppers like funk infused devilry, grooves and hooks spared lusty tenacity across its virulent swing and flirtatious stroll. Again there is a mercurial bent to its boldness, every breath and mania gaining turn soaked in unpredictability and resulting pleasure before Side Effects leads the listener into sultry surf washed climate of sound and atmospheric intimation. The throaty tone of bass ensures a great earthy connection to the loftier exploration as essences reminding of bands such as System Of A Down and 6:33 add to the acceleration of wit, vision and pleasure.

The thought tantalising instrumental Spikes Trap brings its own shadows and mystery to bear next, the technical dexterity of the trio quickly establishing a mental picture for the imagination to conjure with before Connected envelops the senses in its fuzzy sonic smog and melodically fired threads. Though not a track which inflamed as fully as its predecessors, it made for a potent addition to the album’s persuasion which its title track emulated in its sepia coloured storm embraced acoustic serenade.

Across the seductive ears smooching inducement of Parasite and the haunting almost sinister atmospherics of Clouds enthralment with Crossroad was only further cemented; the first of the two alone a lively croon of inventive virulence and emotive attraction impossible to say no to and another peak to the album.

Through the contagion lined canter of The River, a track with a great whisper of XTC to its melodic breath and inventive suggestiveness, album and band unveiled yet another aspect to their sound and quest before leaving No Way Out to close things up. Its opening tease is eighties post punk nurtured, subsequent melodic and harmonic dissonance post rock toned with both flavours embroiled in greater adventure as the song swells with creative initiative and impassioned intensity.

It is a riveting end to an equally engrossing release; a true slab of originality and audacity. Whether Crossroad will take Upanishad to the attention of the biggest and numerous spotlights it deserves to tempt it is impossible to predict but it is easy to say that it is an album which will leave a lasting imprint and joy in those taking the plunge.

Crossroad is available now via Red Cat Records across most online stores.