NE OBLIVISCARIS
“Urn”
Extreme Progressive Metal
(Season of Mist, 2017)
A transcendental masterpiece in which technical abilities and songwriting skipped at least two bars compared to its predecessors.
Regardless of whether it was their intention or not, but from the impressive raw debut of “Portal of I” to the successor “Citadel”, NE OBLIVISCARIS changed the rules of the game in progressive music. The dynamic duality between explosive black and death metal and a softer, classical influence with progressive tendencies earned them a place in the very extreme music elite club for a short time. If not at the very top. Perhaps you will not always know exactly what is going on when they bombard you from all sides, but you will definitely feel that they are the best in doing it. Moving the borders in a maestral way separates this five from everything the metal scene has to offer today.
And then “Urn” enters the scene. The expectations were great since with each release the band raises the bar more and more. Do not worry, they did it this time as well. “Portal of I” was a novelty, something unusual, and it is impossible to resist its frivolity and cruelty. “Citadel” was much more polished with a greater emphasis on the contrast in their music. Compared to them, “Urn” is more accessible to the average listener, by which I mean someone who is hearing this band for the first time. A transcendental masterpiece in which technical possibilities and songwriting skipped at least two bars compared to its predecessors. Acoustic guitars and violins, harsh and clean vocals create magical sonic landscapes that guide you to a fantasy world and fairy tales telling the story of the struggle of light and darkness. The light is winning.
The technical possibilities and the phenomenal way of writing songs are already demonstrated in the first song “Libera”, a two-part piece that in a fantastic way illustrates what NeO does best. Xen‘s and Tim‘s vocals in a dynamic, eternal battle between light and darkness, good and evil, love and hate, merged into a unique world of contradictory emotions that leave us indifferent. Leading single “Intra Venus” is closest to a more classic approach to writing, with a contagious, clean, infectious chorus that you will not be able to get out of your head. Unique, haunting violin solos that penetrate the soul are the most prominent of the song “Eyrie”. An atmospheric journey for itself, “Eyrie” is one of the best works of the band, both collectively and individually. Brutal moments were not missed. Reign of creative chaos, the epic fourteen-minute ending “Urn” gives the last punch.
The turbulent journey from the very beginnings to the recent difficulties and crew changes, the cruelty of music industry and the constant struggle for maintenance have made NeO only stronger, more powerful and more confident in themselves and what they do. One of the most creative bands of today that have unselfishly opened the door to the unseen world, about whom is yet to be written and talked about.
Written by Jadranka Balaš
Track list:
01. Libera (Part I) – Saturnine Spheres
02. Libera (Part II) – Ascent of Burning Moths
03. Intra Venus
04. Eyrie
05. Urn (Part I) – And Within The Void We Are Breathless
06. Urn (Part II) – As Embers Dance In Our Eyes
A transcendental masterpiece in which technical abilities and songwriting skipped at least two bars compared to its predecessors.