Meshuggah - obZen

What could anyone say about Meshuggah? Things are very simple: whoever likes smart extreme music just bows before them. Whoever has a taste and knowledge, just totally respects them.
\r\n
\r\nThe interest regarding any new Meshuggah release is to see what new grounds the band will explore, because no one can predict the direction that they will discover – and not follow- without listening to their new album.
\r\n
\r\n\r\nMeshuggah, for those who don’t know, is the definition of a Progressive Death Metal band. They are very technical and their genius is that they are not technical through show off solos, but through constant games with rhythm guitar parts, but also strange and difficult drum patterns and time signatures. Vocals are treated as another instrument, and someone could say that they are of a secondary significance –if there could be such a thing in a band that consists of 5 perfectionist musicians. Expect no catchy songs and melodies, these Swedes are offering just quality and totally experimental music.
\r\n
\r\nIt’s important to state that even though they are extreme –and Europeans, which directly makes them an underground band- they are a big influence for huge bands such as Dream Theater, Tool and Porcupine Tree! In simple words, Meshuggah are for Extreme Metal the equivalent of what Tool are for Metal.
\r\n
\r\n\r\nobZen is probably the most ‘easy listening’ Meshuggah album, with 9 tracks that stand on the very high level they have build by themselves. None of the songs falls short, I could say though that ‘Bleed’ is the one that stands out clearly, and without being a ‘single’ material, it’s an epic track for sure!
\r\n
\r\nThe production is way beyond belief great, the sound is massive, a fact that is due mainly to the custom 8-string guitars that they are using, which enhances very much the low frequencies of their music. In such an environment, someone could imagine that there would be less space for the bass guitar, but the first thing an experienced ear can listen in this album is the enormous sound of the bass.
\r\n
\r\nFor the drums, the only thing that should be mentioned is that most of the bands that are using programmed drums (and not drum machines), they are using the samples that the Meshuggah drummer has recorded for the creation of the ultra famous ‘Drumkit From Hell’ (D.F.H.), which is consisting of Tomas Haake’s performance on different drum kits. These samples are not just used by Metal bands, but it’s an industry standard for all kinds of music, and it’s the most popular drum sampler today. Needless to say, his playing is unbelievable, and we’re talking about a phenomenal drummer.
\r\n
\r\nWe already have one of the best albums of the year for sure, and the 85% rate is due to the fact that I am not a fan of the oversaturated anymore –in my opinion- genre of Extreme Metal.
\r\n
\r\nTerry Nikas\r\n