Oh wow! Take a look at that cover art! It looks more disgusting than the last time I checked your browsing history (did you actually think the VPN would protect you? Cute!). Obscene brings us its newest release soon, Agony & Wounds. It’s unadulterated Death Metal that promises to throw you into a sea of gore and unpleasant body fluids. This all sounds sexy, but you know gory Death Metal is over-explored, especially after the lovely mayhem of 2023. Still, let’s see if Obscene has anything to offer, shall we?
I usually dislike answering my own rhetorical questions because the point is to make you click and keep on reading (oh surprise! I’m trying to manipulate you!), but the answer this time is yes and no. Still confused? Well, the thing is that Agony sounds familiar yet distinct. It has all the rusty, undigested rage that Old School Death Metal has you used to, but it’s just lighter in sound. Don’t let its savagery fool you; this album moves and punches like a flyweight. For those of you who’ve never seen combat, that means it’s freaking fast and mean, but not overwhelming.
Agony is an album that can easily be seen as derivative, but that’s a mistake. Many of you will think of early Tomb Mold, especially because of its cover art, but I’d encourage you to give the album at least two spins. Then the differences will shine: hysterical solos, Grindcore-like song structures, and most uniquely, vocals that sound as if someone is peeing a kidney stone the size of a tennis ball. They’re not your typical cookie monster growls; they have more despair and pain than fury. Also, somehow my kittens dig this filthy thing, so extra points to Obscene for that.
Time for the beatdown. It might surprise you, but the first few tracks didn’t catch me right away. They sounded a bit more of the same. It wasn’t until I really, really focused that I appreciated Agony for more than just another dirty Old School album. It’s not going to revolutionize Death Metal, but it’ll give you a good run for the few bucks it costs. There’s a decent amount of changes and variation in the album. Sadly, I can’t say there are big outstanding moments. It’s more like a onslaught of cathartic violence that needs to be experienced as a whole.
Anyway, the die-hard fans will love this thing. It’s vintage, but it doesn’t turn into boring pummeling. Those of you who aren’t trained in the 90s Death Metal ways might find this one a bit odd. However, if you dug the last Benighted and want something a bit less polished, more organic, then get ready to enjoy all this agony and come out of it wounded from head to toe. Oh wow! Maybe I managed to get a closing statement that wasn’t cringe-worthy this time, or what do you think? See you tomorrow!
Label: Nameless Grave Records
Release date: 12 July, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/obsceneDM/
Country: USA
Score: A bag of rotten guts, or maybe 3.5/5.0? Who knows?
Metal Eclipse Reviews 