Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy

May 29, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

It’s been nearly five long years since Nevermore’s last opus, This Godless Endeavor, but the Seattle masters are back with the latest effort, The Obsidian Conspiracy. From the ashes of thrash metal’s Sanctuary, Nevermore has been as resilient as it has been consistently excellent. While eagerly anticipated, the new CD had much to live up to going into its creation. After all, how many times can a band be that good since 1995’s self-titled album?

As expected, vocalist and lyricist Warrel Dane attacks the consciousness with his ever-growing disdain for mental complacency, personal loss and religious subjugation. From the ethereal vocal delivery to the lyrics from “Emptiness Unobstructed” we see the contempt and strife:







Where he has made a living forcing himself to deal with his inner torment and demons, Dane offers us a shotgun seat into his inner demons or enlightenments yet again, only requesting that we “get it”. Personal torture and torment have long propelled the Nevermore vehicle and this latest collective is no different.

Jeff Loomis remains one of music’s most underrated shredders with complex riffs and intricate musical explorations that forge far past the typical ‘”crunch-shred-slop-shred-crunch” scenario. His expertise at creating some of the heaviest, most intelligent music in metal today is what keeps Nevermore at the top of the game. Why they aren’t more popular here in the States is a total mystery to me. Loomis’ acoustical flutters right before the typical chord explosion is synonymous with progressive thrash. Once again, he pulls magic from his mental resources and puts the “heavy” in heavy metal, clichés be damned.

As for Van Williams’ drumming, he also remains one of the underrated drummers out there today. He and bassist Jim Sheppard find the perfect sync yet again, joining with Dane and Loomis to create a sincerely brutal album worthy of the Nevermore name.  

The one difference worth noting, however minute, is Dane’s lyrical approach this time around. While drenched in the abstract for pretty much every album since the first one, Obsidian seems to take the more direct approach on certain tracks. Dane has said that this album is lyrically and musically more enraged and it certainly shows. Whereas his lyrics have always showed a hatred and resentment for the unjust and brainwashed among us, songs like “Your Poison Throne” and “The Day You Built the Wall” are testaments to the anger that can overtake us all. Where it might make some bands a lesser entity in a long tenure, such a subtle change only fuels the Nevermore machine in the positive direction. With terrific production from Peter Wichers and mixing and mastering from the incredible Andy Sneap The Obsidian Conspiracy will linger in your head just as long as the previous albums have.

I was quite worried going in that Nevermore, one of my favorite bands of all time, couldn’t possibly keep such a perfect streak going for so long, especially after a five-year layover from the writing process. I suppose I also feared that Dane’s and Loomis’ solo CDs might have drained some of the creative spark from this record. I am so happy to be wrong and shall never doubt again! Even with the pending Sanctuary reunion in the works you can rest assured that Nevermore will not disappoint as long as it’s humanly possible.

Another gem of tumultuous anger.

Release Date: May 31, 2010
Label: Century Media

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Termination Proclamation
2.  Your Poison Throne
3.  Moonrise (Through Mirrors of Death)
4.  And the Maiden Spoke
5.  Emptiness Unobstructed
6.  The Blue Marble and the New Soul
7.  Without Morals
8.  The Day You Built the Wall
9.  She Comes in Colors
10.  The Obsidian Conspiracy
11.  Crystal Ship (The Doors cover)
12.  Temptation (The Tea Party cover)

Total playing time: 51:31

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

“So the river ends--/
In this calamity we call heaven--/
Is this perfection--/
Are we spinning into the grey again--/
And transforming into the insane-“

TO THE TOP