NEVERMORE — The Obsidian Conspiracy (review)

NEVERMORE — The Obsidian Conspiracy album cover

Album · 2010 · Thrash Metal

3.5/5 · 2010-06-30
UMUR

"The Obsidian Conspiracy" is the 7th full-length studio album by US, Seattle, Washington based metal act Nevermore. The album was released in May 2010 by Century Media Records. The original version of the album contains 10 tracks while the limited digipack version of the album features 2 bonus tracks. The bonus tracks are a cover version of "The Crystal Ship" by The Doors and a cover version of "Temptation" by The Tea Party. The album was produced by Peter Wichers who also took care of the production on lead vocalist Warrel Dane´s solo album "Praises to the War Machine (2008)".

The music on the album is unmistakably the sound of Nevermore with Warrel Dane´s distinct sounding and strong vocals in front. The style is still a mix of heavy metal, power metal, thrash metal and the occasional nod towards progressive metal. It appears the band have chosen a more straight forward and streamlined songwriting method on "The Obsidian Conspiracy" compared to the more elaborate and challenging releases of the past. This generally means that the tracks are more vers/ chorus oriented and simple than what we´re used to from Nevermore. The polished production by Peter Wichers also means that the tracks are more easily accessible and instantly memorable. The most challenging and progressively tinged tracks on the album are "And the Maiden Spoke", "She Comes in Colors" and the closing title track. Other tracks worth a mention is the powerful opener "The Termination Proclamation", "Emptiness Unobstructed" and the power ballad "The Blue Marble and the New Soul".

The songwriting quality is high throughout the album and there are as such no sub par tracks on the album. The problem is, that there are very few really excellent tracks on the album either. Guitarist extraordinaire Jeff Loomis has toned down his usually blistering guitar style a bit and at times he even sounds anonymous in the soundscape. I think this is the most severe issue on the album but the way too polished sound production and the generally simple structure of the tracks are not featured that I´m fond of either. The two cover tracks on the limited digipack version of the album are a good addition to the 10 regular album tracks. I´m not familiar with The Tea Party version of "Temptation", but Nevermore´s version is decent. Nevermore´s version of "The Crystal Ship" by The Doors is a bit more interesting.

After five years since the release of the masterful "This Godless Endeavor (2005)", I actually find it a bit disappointing that this is all Nevermore could conjure up for the fans. Mind you I´m not saying this is a bad release but it seriously lacks spark and spirit compared to earlier releases. I´ve followed Nevermore right from the release of their self-titled debut album in 1995 (well...actually since the Sanctuary days) and every new release from them has always challenged me and made my blood boil with excitement. This is the first time I´ve felt a bit indifferent towards one of their releases. I simply don´t feel the burning urge to put on the album and listen to it again and again like I did with all the band´s preceeding releases. That´s a clear indication to me that something is wrong or missing on "The Obsidian Conspiracy". But even a sub par effort by Nevermore is of course still a quality product and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

more than 2 years ago
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The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh I agree 100% when I heard the news my first thought was "Hell...Nevermore is going to end with this disappointment!?" Also on such a sour note...but you're right, it'd be much better than "Nevermore" continuing and doing god knows what.
I guess either way its RIP Nevermore : (

Hope Loomis and Williams will get some people and start their own project while Dane does, whatever lol

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I think I´ll be a bit angry if they continue without Loomis. This is the time to stop before the Nevermore name is soiled. The Obsidian Conspiracy isn´t exactly what I would call going out on a strong note, but at least it´s a decent effort that sounds like Nevermore. A new album without Loomis is bound to be something completely different and therefore I hope they will found a new band and start from scratch. A bit harsh mabybe, but I don´t think anyone should underestimate Loomis importance in Nevermore.

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

As we've discussed before...you're not alone in the disappointment!
Sadly, with the departure of Loomis and Williams my hope for the next Nevermore has gone from worried to depressing : (