Released on 6th of March, 2020 through Unique Leader Records, the debut Obsidian from tech-death/deathcore band Viscera has taken over my life, in the best way possible. There was a time when it seemed like the deathcore label was a joke, that there was nothing new to be done. Now with great bands like Shadow of Intent and Shrine of Malice, this particular blend has new life forcefully breathed into it. With a roster heavy laden with experience, it seems as though Viscera is prepared to step up to the plate.
The first track, "Delilah," begins with a soft intro that crescendos into a whirlwind of technical braggadocio. There's plenty to dissect within Obsidian, and while the merging of 90s influences and deathcore has the potential to be muddy, Viscera fashion the styles into a fresh concept.
Jamie Graham takes the mic and forms webs of monstrous melodies that he's honed over the years in previous bands Sylosis and Heart of a Coward. Ross McLennan and Adam Bell pulverize the listener with searing hot riffs and skyrocketing solos. David Archer provides the thunderous undertones on bass that break through the chaos, which I would like to hear a little bit more of, but that could just be the mix. Skins master, Alex Micklewright, is a true hero, blasting out incredibly serpentine passages that would have the most practiced of percussionist scratching their heads.
Watch the blistering video for track three, "Lamb to the Slaughter" below.
A sound that feels like a Kalashnikov spraying serrated knives directly into your eardrums, the entire album is surely a treat to listen to. If you've dismissed the deathcore genre, or if you've never really delved into it before, let Viscera show you the dynamics of what is possible. These boys are surely a force to be reckoned with. If you want to see them live they are currently (as of March 8th) on tour with death metal vets Decapitated as well as Beyond Creation.
With a sound that rivals the most mature bands out in the world today, I'm giving Obsidian an 8/10.
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