Oblomov: Wishing the Renaissance

“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

Khonsu: The Xun Protectorate

If you want a glimpse of a twisted, eerie future, then Khonsu’s “The Xun Protectorate” just may very well offer that vison. I first read a review about “The Xun Protectorate” back in 2016, but never actually got around to listening to the album until just recently. I had an idea of what to expect when the album began, but to hear what you’ve read can never really prepare you for the real thing.

Steffen Grønbech, who assumes all instrumental and the majority of vocal duties on the album, does a wonderful job of creating a futuristic sound of terror, while maintaining a subtly of tranquility through the use of his rhythms and harmonies created throughout the album. He wastes no time introducing you to Khonsu’s blend of styles by unleashing the opening track (after the intro) “The Jhator Ascension” on their listeners. The song begins with a short intro of pummeling drums that quickly transition into an explosion of catchy guitar riffs. The heavy use of synths and blasting drums join in as the evil vocals are cued and the sounds begin to harmonize, painting a dreary picture of what the rest of the album will offer.

Terje Olsen handles the clean vocals and shouldn’t be left out of the conversation, as his sound helps balance the sound between peace and chaos. This balancing act is present on “Death of the Timekeeper” The electronic dissonance along with the pounding drums and terrifying vocals create a bleak atmosphere, but the clean vocals come in serve as an equalizer. Of course, songs like “Visions of Nehaya” are just a straight forward, blackened death metal attack.

If you’re looking for a nice mixture of industrial and blackened death metal, “The Xun Protectorate” should be right up your alley. I enjoyed this album and was impressed that a band that I had never heard of was able to put together such a blend of sounds and atmospheres to create the sound for their futuristic, horror styled theme. There’s really not much to point out to bring this album down in the sense of glaring problems. However, I don’t think this album is a masterpiece that some had made it seem, but it is a very good album overall.

Highlights: "A Jhator Ascension" "Death of the Timekeeper" "Visions of Nehaya"

Rating: 4