I was a huge fan of California’s brutal tech-death band Oblivion’s 2013 debut album Called to Rise.  4 years later and the band is still intact with Ted O’Neill and Victor Dods ( ex Hacksaw to the Throat) on guitars, Ben Orum (ex- All Shall Perish) on Bass, Luis Martinez (ex Antagony) blasting the crap out of his drums and Nick Vasallo (ex-Antagony) on vocals and bass.

Nice clever album title The Path Towards… and then put the band name Oblivion after it and BOOM-pretty cool flow.  The Path Towards… is a more streamlined album than the debut with a few shorter tracks.  I really appreciate how much brutality the band can fit into a 3 1/2 minute tune.  Remarkable.  After a short intro, “Dominion” comes through your speakers ready to choke slam you to death.  Brutal blasts and the 1 minute epic slow down had me picking up trees and launching them across the neighborhood.  Nick lets out a lethal growl and then the Oblivion tank demolishes you to pieces.  More blasting comes forward with Nick going into some of those higher register vocals styles and some killer bass guitar twang, when the slow part hits again.  Above average guitar solos towards the end of the track and you know Oblivion are the fuck back and ready to hammer you into a bloody pulpy mess.

I really love the opening of “Concrete Thrones”.  Excellent guitar melodies alongside the brutal rhythm section.  This opening sequence is simply brilliant up until the blasting comes in again.  You may even catch some guest vocals alongside Nick on this track.  Yes that would be Eddie Hermida from All Shall Perish/Suicide Silence.  Luckily Eddie uses his lower register growls and he sounds absolutely phenomenal.  (Eddie-c’mon brother bring that shit back and make Suicide Silence brutal again).  Anyway this song is a really special tune, bringing Ben and Eddie back together again, from their All Shall Perish days.  “Harsh Awakening” has a killer opening guitar riff, alongside some melodic guitar and pinch harmonics.  That’s right.  This opening had me swinging.  The mid-paced parts do not last too long as the blasting comes right back and slams you over the head.  The 1.50 mark guitar riff is memorable and catchy.  Nice epic part at the 2 minute mark.  This section screams Hold Up you Horns, headbang and if your neighbor is not doing the same, then time to lop their head off an use it as a soccer ball.  Nick getting into some super high screams, while not my favorite, he gets into a little black metallish territory range, and it does sound interesting.  His lows are killer, though.  Really powerful set of dynamic pipes.

“It Has Become” is very interesting.  I love the signature time changes and how the song speeds up super-fast and slows down and then right into some jazzy section.  Brilliant shit.  There you have it.  Oblivion continues setting the bar with their musicianship and song writing ability.  Super creative tunes with lots of time changes but still retaining in your thick skull.  It’s really tough to make tech death metal memorable and catchy.  Not a ton of bands that can pull it off with an album from start to finish.  Just like on their debut, Oblivion continues on The Path Towards… of creating non-stop brutality as well as catchy tunes.  The production and mix is excellent, it is very clean sounding and maybe the drums are triggered a lot, I can overlook certain aspects when the music is this good.

My only real gripe is we had to wait 4 years for this.  Let’s not wait another 4 years guys.  You’re too special of a band.  Go on over to indiemerch and pick-up the package deal of your choice.  Tell ‘em Frank sent ya, and if you don’t buy it I’ll give you a slobberknocker gorilla magillacutty chop to the throat.  Buy or Die!!!!!

 

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