Meshuggah - obZen
Rating
RIYL
PsyopusDillinger Escape Plan
The End
A Life Once Lost
Tracklist
1. Combustion2. Electric Red
3. Bleed
4. Lethargica
5. obZen
6. This Spiteful Snake
7. Pineal Gland Optics
8. Pravus
9. Dancers to a Discordant System
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When discussing math metal there is one name that is almost always guaranteed to come up and that is Meshuggah. For approximately two decades the band has built a reputation upon their complex rhythms and intricate guitar riffs. What sets them apart from similar bands is their reluctance to do the same thing twice. They have been known to integrate thrash, jazz, progressive rock, and other genres to come up with a completely new experience for every album. Because of this, each new album should be treated exactly as what it is: an event. With the release of obZen, Meshuggah hands their listeners front row tickets to one of the most chaotic yet entertaining experiences so far this year.
“Combustion” blasts the album off on its most accessible note. This doesn’t indicate that it’s laden with melody, it only means that you don’t completely lose yourself in the complexity as much as other tracks. Its short but sweet structure eases the listener into the relentless start/stop rhythms of the second track, “Electric Red.” However, it isn’t until “Bleed” that the album really begins to take off. The song gallops with a mighty force straight through its 7+ minute length with only a brief interlude for an ambient-inspired guitar solo to breach the breakdowns and slice through the commotion. It is at this point that the virtuosic drumming becomes most evident. For their last album, Catch 33, Tomas Haake used the software synthesizer Drumkit from Hell for all the drum tracks. This can be understandable since the speeds and time changes seem like they would be humanly impossible for an actual drummer. However, for obZen, Haake has picked the sticks back up and has displayed an uncanny ability to match the intricacy of the preceding album.
Tracks such as “Lethargica” don’t posses the creativity of the previous songwriting, which ultimately obstructs the album from being flawless. Moments like the aforementioned song appear somewhat as filler that creates the false illusion of monotony on the album. Although the overall sound is much different than Catch 33, some of the songs do tend to blend together due to the overtly cohesive nature of the album. This is typical of the genre and proves to be both an asset and a drawback. Nevertheless, just when you think that Meshuggah has no new tricks, they bring the momentum back up to speed with surprisingly tight song structures.
“This Spiteful Snake” adds an interesting element midway through with a groove that is practically danceable amidst its chugging guitars and almost absurd arpeggio riffs that accompany the heavy rhythm. Any hindrances can certainly be overlooked when listening to standouts like “Pineal Gland Optics” which grasps the listener persistently with its ringing harmonics and coarse breakdowns. The polymetric passages and angular guitars are mind-blowing as they weave in and out while simultaneously complementing each other. The mammoth closer, “Dancers to a Discordant System,” will undoubtedly hold your attention containing devilish vocals, progressive rock influence, and unyielding guitar riffs which will have you head-banging the entire time.
The band has stated that the album title refers to finding Zen in the obscure and obscene. There could be no more fitting a name for this album. It’s hard for some people to understand why one would want to listen to songs that are this abrasive and frenzied, but there is a reassurance in listening to such music. It is the comfort of knowing that there can be magnificence hidden under the carnage and with each listen, it becomes more evident that these guys are on to something significant. It may not be for everyone, but those who can appreciate such carefully calculated chaos will surely be rewarded.
--Dave Spak
Comments
Infinitely Inwards
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Minnesota
On a side note, is the artwork pretty cool? I just ordered the disc from Amazon, but the other CD I ordered with it isn't shipping for a week so I won't get this until like a week and a half from now.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Dallas, Texas
Is that a joke, Rick?
Minnesota
No. I know what the cover looks like, but I'm curious whether the booklet and stuff is cool and unique or if it's just a standard insert.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Dallas, Texas
PA
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Florida, USA
Still miles ahead of Catch 33, though. Ugh, what a terrible album.
PA
This CD was blasting in my car for over a month straight. Love this disc.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)