NEVERMORE – The Obsidian Conspiracy

After five years, Nevermore is back with a new album that brings back memories of their earlier period of the 90’s. Although not considered Thrash Metal for years, Nevermore made their mark as a sort of a progressive entity in the Metal world. The uncertainty surrounding their style made them the great band that they are. However, past albums since 2000, were not the deep stuff which was released prior to the new millennia. As technicality and emptiness arose, so did their last three albums which were less impressive. Nevertheless, those albums were critically acclaimed by many, The Obsidian Conspiracy, their new presentation, is their first jackpot since Dreaming Neon Black of 1999.

Nevermore always chose to follow emotions with an uncharted epic sense. Those sorts of unexplained emotions upgraded their material into higher plains. When it comes to their music, they show that there is a burning heart behind the creation. Bearing the main marker of their music is their sole guitar player, Jeff Loomis. Within the release, Loomis produced amazing complex riffages followed by his massive technical skill as before, yet, this time you can actually feel a soul behind the riffs.

The Obsidian Conspiracy, on its “System Slaves”, is like taking the vocalist’s, Warrel Dane, solo project, while letting it drop deep into Loomis’s shred solo venture. Together, while letting Dane’s world take the lead, it is a new type of a Nevermore album. Their told story is something that will take time to comprehend, yet, it is always a treat to come back to it.

Some stories are better off, yet, the stories of Nevermore, as their past writings (Dane’s writings) are something to reach out repeatedly. The style, both musically and lyrically, is hard to imitate and although they musically were not always the best, they made their score this time. As support, you have “Your Poison Throne”, “The Day You Built The Wall”, “And The Maiden Spoke”, “She Comes In Colors”, “Moonrise” and “The Termination Proclamation”. Those are true demonstrations of non-overbearing technical sense spaced out by a prime emotive stature. That is what brilliance is all about.

Another positive aspect on this album is the grand production. Nevermore’s past albums were constantly maintained by a good production crew, aside from the first edition of Enemies Of Reality, and it shows here. Peter Wichers, Warrel Dane’s producer, took the reins on the recording. At the wheel of the mixing/mastering stood Andy Sneap, a longtime buddy of the band and one of the greatest producers in the Metal world. Sneap gave the band its depthy edge that worked for them much better than on their previous releases.

The Obsidian Conspiracy turned out to be Nevermore’s solid base of confidence for the new decade. This is their best work since Dreaming Neon Black, their musical direction and lyrical lines should be preserved for their next offerings. Enjoy the termination of damnation through Century Media’s fine Seattle based group. There is a great promise on the horizon. After this one, it will be a good waiting time for the forthcoming.