The Obsidian Conspiracy

[Jacksons Shred]

Has risen to my ipod. I'm still on the first few songs.. I'll keep you guys posted. I'm going to put it to the real test and hit the gym and see how it treats me there.

[6string40]

Where did you download it? Anything additional on today's Euro release vs what's gonna be on the US version?

[Jacksons Shred]

I don't think there is a difference between the US version and the Euro version. There is a 2 disc package somewhere though, that has a few tracks with just the guitar and just the vocals as well. Along with a cover song.

I'll hit you up with a link once I remember, it took a bit of scouting though. I plan on buying this CD when It's out though..

Mixed reviews on this, mostly positive, but a few negative comments.

[Jacksons Shred]

I'll write a quick review in a bit, then a in depth review later on once I've really listened to this cd a bunch.

[VitaminG]

I was hoping we'd get the Euro release date here but I found out this morning we have to wait for June 4. There are apparently limited edition and vinyl versions available. I guess the LTD has the second disc

[Hellbat]

I want to kill somebody over the fact that I can't listen to this right now...

[bibz]

Since my preorder is being rushed by century media I caved and got it. Listened to it twice now and quite simply, one of the greatest albums ever. I'm not overhyping it either. It's the best produced metal album I've ever heard. Warrel sounds fucking amazing. Loomis' guitar tone is fucking KILLER. I preordered the LTD 2 disc thingo with a tshirt. Can't wait for the bonus songs!!

[horns666]

...I'm a ...I'ma...Ima...ahhhhhhhhh I.....ummmmmmmm.

I'm gonna wait 'till it's released at da cd sto. I don't want to hear any samples, or nothin'. I want to be surprised...like always!

This reminds me how I felt right before a new VH record ..when I was a tween.

[Jacksons Shred]

Alright. I figured I'd write out a quick review, mainly my first impressions on the album. I listened to the album a few times yesterday. First and foremost. It's a great album. As mentioned earlier, the production is great, the guitar tone is superb, the drums sound amazing, everything about the production is great.

This album is definitely a mixture of all the previous Nevermore albums, and including Jeff and Warrel's solo albums. There's elements of Dead Heart, This Godless Endeavor, "Nevermore", and Politics of Ecstacy. While you may think that is an awesome thing, there's actually a slight flaw with that. There are definitely a few songs that are very reminiscent of older songs from the Nevermore catalog. Though, I can say it could be my fault for being a pretty big and obsessive Nevermore fan so I noticed a lot of "rehashed" idea's or melodies. That is just nitpicking though.

This album is very very diverse. There are some sick groovy thrash songs, some great melodic slower songs, and some awesome anthems which get you pumped up and ready to mosh.

This album has some of the best metal riffs of all time. Period. As with any album, it has it's flaws, but it's a great album and I'd highly recommend picking it up if you're a Neverhead. I also think it's the perfect album to introducing someone to Nevermore because it's so diverse.

[VitaminG]

Though, I can say it could be my fault for being a pretty big and obsessive Nevermore fan so I noticed a lot of "rehashed" idea's or melodies. That is just nitpicking though.

I've noticed that on the last few albums. Recurring themes, melodies, lyrics. And I decided I don't care

thanks for the review. I'm still very pumped to get the album on Friday. My family is going to be sick of the album by Sunday night Nevermore is one of the few bands that I WILL pay full price for as soon as the album comes out. I like to wait for albums to be discounted because I can buy more of them that way, but Nevermore will not wait.

[horns666]

Alright. I figured I'd write out a quick review, mainly my first impressions on the album. I listened to the album a few times yesterday. First and foremost. It's a great album. As mentioned earlier, the production is great, the guitar tone is superb, the drums sound amazing, everything about the production is great.

This album is definitely a mixture of all the previous Nevermore albums, and including Jeff and Warrel's solo albums. There's elements of Dead Heart, This Godless Endeavor, "Nevermore", and Politics of Ecstacy. While you may think that is an awesome thing, there's actually a slight flaw with that. There are definitely a few songs that are very reminiscent of older songs from the Nevermore catalog. Though, I can say it could be my fault for being a pretty big and obsessive Nevermore fan so I noticed a lot of "rehashed" idea's or melodies. That is just nitpicking though.

This album is very very diverse. There are some sick groovy thrash songs, some great melodic slower songs, and some awesome anthems which get you pumped up and ready to mosh.

This album has some of the best metal riffs of all time. Period. As with any album, it has it's flaws, but it's a great album and I'd highly recommend picking it up if you're a Neverhead. I also think it's the perfect album to introducing someone to Nevermore because it's so diverse.

Nick, great review!!! Without hearing the cd, any complaint of "flaw" is pretty common with artists. Especially those who have been around for decades, and as original as NM. Let's look at the big pic with bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Preist, Iron Maiden, Led Zep, AC/DC (That's a given) and ect. Even with more complex classic metal stuff like Cacophony, Racer X, Apocrapha, Helstar, Forbidden, Atheist, Cynic, Death, Nocturnus, Hexenhaus, early Annihilator, King Diamond ect. Be it riffs, lyrics, themes, and such formulas. That's actually a good thing IMO, because that's their stamp. Any great band with longevity such as Megadeth ('cept Risk) , and countless bands including the ones mentioned above hone their skills and originality without compromise. Whenever a great band "experiments" for marketable reasons, it totaly flops. Bands like Dokken, Lynch Mob, Loudness, Queensryche, Van Halen, and the best known example is Metallica. Metallica flopped with much of their original metal fanbase, but sold gagillions. I still can't tell the difference between Godsmack and 90's Metallica.

I expected this release to be their best produced to date. They went through a nightmare with EOR that was produced by Kelly Gray..the guy that killed Dokken, Queensryche (who took DeGarmo's place) and other bands. They were actually venting to me right before it was released. They were soooooo pissed and embarassed..especially Van Williams..He was most vocal to me about it. "Stating, "It's so fuckin' muddy, there's like a blanket over the whole thing..you can't hear shit". He had fire in his eyes, and he's a jolly, funny fuggin' dude. So they re-packaged it and had Andy Sneap fix the fucker to sound like a NM record. They have a long standing relationship with Neil Kernon and Andy Sneap who KNOWS what NM sounds like without wanting to interfere w/ their vision/sound. A guy like Kelly has no clue or business telling bands like NM, QR, Dokken ...trying to mold them what he thinks is current or modern. I hate fuckers like that. Unless they're well established and has a good relationship (friends) with that band, Then they have some credibility, and any suggestions they have may be considered. Andy Sneap is THE man when it comes to my favorite drum/guitar tones...and he's a hellava player himself. I have all Sabbat cds..and they rule. Especially for the time. One of the tightest, fastest, coolest 80's thrash bands ever!

I was hoping for Tim Calvert to return as their secondary guitarist. There was definitely talk about it. But I think Tim just opt out. Family man, and he's a commercial pilot, and that's a stable paycheck. Besides, 99% humans never heard of Nevermore and never will. So guys like Tim is getting a steady check flying dumbfucks to a Justin' Beiber concert or some shit.

You didn't hear shit about Ronnie James Dio's death, but everytime some lil' douche like Justin Fuggin' Beiber farts..it's all over news.

I think the new NM release is prolly their deepest and complex one. The had 5 years to work on it. It'll prolly take many listens to absorb, and when it does....fuck! Nevermore is a band of perfectionists and expectations are high. They've been a benchmark in the metal world and metal 'zines for nearly 15 years. Soooooooooooo many professional players absolutely worship Jeff Loomis, and they seem to get known. Best example of this is Gus G going into the Ozzy camp, and Chris in 'Deth. Not that Gus is a bad player..in fact, he's damn good and very versatile, Much more than any other Ozzy player to date. But that must be left open due to Randy's premature death. But he's MUCH more METAL and diverse than Jake, and Zakk could ever be...and I know this as fact, because I have ALL their works!!!! Fuck, Gus G put out as much stuff as Zakk Wylde in his seemingly short career, and consistantly good in diverse metal genres..from power..power-prog..neo-classical..swedish death thrashl!

OK, I'll give my take on the release when I give it a few listens. I'm their biggest fanboy, but I'm honest. I don't LOVE all NM songs. But, I could count on one hand how many tunes I could do without. Not bad considering that includes everything since their '95 self titled debut.

BTW..I've been consumed at home. That's why I've been distant. But alot of things are settling in, and I'll be back full swing..and then some.

Fuck the typos. I'm Bill Z Bub godammit..cherish the fuggin' typos!

[Endrik]

but everytime some lil' douche like Justin Fuggin' Beiber farts..it's all over news.

who dat?

[horns666]

who dat?

ENDY..WASSUP BRUTHA!!??

Justin Beiber is this fuggin' lil' fuck!!!...He's known to lip sync. I wouldn't know because I don't give a damn.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEMD6k3uIwU

[Endrik]

oh I see, just another part of corporate scheme to force mediocrity down to suburban anglo teenagers' throats and make them clueless puppets, nothing new here, even Michael Jackson at the age of 10 had bigger testicles than this family approved pop-star.

[horns666]

oh I see, just another part of corporate scheme to force mediocrity down to suburban anglo teenagers' throats and make them clueless puppets, nothing new here, even Michael Jackson at the age of 10 had bigger testicles than this family approved pop-star.

Amen!!!