NEVERMORE „The Obsidian Conspiracy”

Music: Thrash/Groove/Heavy
Website: http://www.myspace.com/nevermorefans
Country: USA
Duration: 43:41 (10 songs)
Cool Songs: Moonrise, And The Maiden Spoke, The Obsidian Conspiracy

After five years that saw an extended hiatus, solo albums galore, and a DVD release, Nevermore finally make good on their promise of new material. Since these ears are privileged to experience what the Seattle foursome have created a month prior its European release, let the ears proclaim: We’ve got a fucking winner!

Punching the listener in the gut at the very first note, the rollicking grooves driving “The Termination Proclamation” gratify the long expectant fans’ craving for Nevermore’s unadulterated power. No matter which way you chew it, “The Termination Proclamation” is a bad ass anthem blessed by everyone’s favorite ingredients: mood, great lyrics, and zero tired clichés. God bless Nevermore, even if none of them believe in the Lord above.

However, it’s also at the opening track where less charitable souls may draw first blood. It’s a great song, no doubt, but is this the best Seattle’s most popular metal band can offer half a decade since the mind melting “This Godless Endeavor”? The rather staid follow up “Your Poison Throne” may fail to alleviate such dismay and it’s a sure bet “The Obsidian Conspiracy” will earn itself its fair share of haters. Despite the either indifferent or disappointed reception from the critical segment of Nevermore’s audience, true believers are amply succored by the ferocious “Moonrise” and the title track’s ball tingling epicness.

Testosterone isn’t all that “The Obsidian Conspiracy” has to offer though. “The Blue Marble And The New Soul,” “The Day You Built The Wall,” and “She Came in Colors” count themselves among the album’s more contemplative cuts. This is not to say Nevermore have fallen headlong into the power ballad abyss, only they’ve found less thrash-driven means of expressing themselves. It’s heard on the emotionally charged “The Blue Marble And The New Soul” and the winding twists of “She Came In Colors.” If the winning criteria were a balance of subtlety and a harder edge, this reviewer believes that the album’s finest moment is “And The Maiden Spoke.” It’s one part horror narrative and one part gothic metal grandeur. Well, alright, it isn’t gothic metal, but it’s not super fast either as Warrel Dane spins a brooding, scary yarn set in 1617,

As for individual performances—why bother nitpicking? “The Obsidian Conspiracy” is almost perfect. Almost.

note: 9.5/10

Tracklist

1.The Termination Proclamation
2.Your Poison Throne
3.Moonrise
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 Came In Colors
10.The Obsidian Conspiracy

Line-up

Warrel Dane- Vocals
Jeff Loomis- Guitar
Jim Sheppard- Guitar
Van Williams- Drums