### Obsydian: The grotesque presage

#### 12/08/10 || sly

This Obsydian are four kids from Nova Scotia, inspired by Nevermore, Behemoth, and the like (I say “this Obsydian” as there is another with the same spelling out of the UK). It seems the original two guys started off in a sort of Metallica cover band- and it shows. Obsydian have been called blackened death metal, which rings true, but with an unmistakable thrashy edge, whether they know it or not.

Self-released “The Grotesque Presage” is their first full-length album, consisting of material old (‘06) and new. It is composed of ten tracks, making it over an hour long.

Too long, guys.

Whilst the music itself is pretty damn decent, Obsydian could definitely benefit from a bit of outside management; someone to pick out the best tracks and riffs, and shorten the thing. Half way through number six, I was pretty exhausted of it. Really though, that is about the only thing I can criticize. They’re young, unsigned, and motivated, not to mention they can play their instruments with a fair amount of proficiency.

I think there is some hope for these kids; they seem to be starting off on a good foot. They are fast, aggressive, and the overall sound is a lot more mature and impressive than so much of the crap “metal” that is floating around the fucking cunternet these days. Of course, as with many bands in their beginning phase, there is room for improvement. But if Obsydian take themselves seriously, and learn to polish their own brand of music, they could go reasonably far.

It’s nice to finally come across a band adequate enough to make me:

a) curious about a second album

and

b) not wish a painful and lonely death upon them.

Therefore, I would say bravo, but next time be a bit more selective with your final recording. Length doesn’t always matter, boys. Look at Slayer’s first album- less than 35 minutes. Quality over quantity, ya’ll.

- Information
- Released: 2010
- Label: Self-released
- Website: Obsydian MySpace
- Band
- Marc Mackenzie: vocals, guitar
- Mitchell Dragatis: guitar
- Ian Seurattan: bass
- Justin Marshall: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Blastocyst Assassination
- 02. Indoctrinated
- 03. The Apocrypha
- 04. Seeds of Desecration
- 05. Divine Sedition
- 06. The Rebirth
- 07. Poison of the Pious
- 08. Apologue of the Wicked
- 09. The Grotesque Presage
- 10. Slaves to the Resistance