“Wishing the Renaissance” was one of the many random CDs I
received on a bulk purchase through eBay years back. Now, at the time, sites
like Metal Archives or Rate Your Music were nowhere near as comprehensive as
they ware now, so information on this 4 song EP (3 tracks and an intro) was
scarce to say the least.
Oblomov play a style of blackened death, but add in a hint
of folk in the background that gives the music a touch a variety to help make
it stand out. The use of the Didgeridoo or Bongos can be heard at times, which
may seem like an odd sound for black or death metal, but the band works them
into the fold subtly as to enhance the black/death, not overtake it.
The guitars on “Wishing the Renaissance” are very well timed
and play nicely throughout the 6-8-minute track lengths each song. With a
variation tempo and speed, they provide enough rhythm to prevent any of the
songs from getting stale, but also create a pleasant contrast of harsh riffs
over sections that feature melodic keyboards. The drumming is very competent in
the way traditional doom metal drumming sounds. They provide plenty of sound
and add to the overall atmosphere, but they are not necessarily the highlight
of the album. In my opinion, the bass is the unsung hero here, as its presence
is not only felt, but I feel that the songs would be lacking a key sound
without its front and center sound. As for the vocals, they are more rooted in
black metal than anything else. Not many shrieks, hisses or elongated yells to
be heard, but the singing is dark and brooding, which adds nicely to the atmosphere
created by the instruments.
All in all, this was a nice little surprise that wound up on
my doorstep. The band would take some time off between this release and their
first full length, one that I may be inclined to give a listen, now that I have
given this EP an honest listen. Fans of black metal or atmospheric black will
appreciate the sound and effort put forth on this EP, so check it out. (I
almost wanted to say Czech it out, given they are from the Czech Republic, but…….)
Highlights: "Wishing
the Renaissance" "Coincidenta Oppositorum"
Rating: 3.5
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