| |
| |
Features - Hear it First
Ne Obliviscaris Hear it First by Josh Coppola | February 21st, 2008
 Every once in a while there comes a band who takes a completely new approach to metal, boasting a sound so unique that to restrict it to genre classifications would be almost insulting. Bands like Opeth, Cynic, or Meshuggah are classic examples, having achieved a near-legendary status in the metal world by putting their own unique spin on the music of their peers.
It may be too early to judge, but Australia’s Ne Obliviscaris seem destined to become one such band. Boasting 6 talented musicians (drummer Dan Presland won the Fastest Feet in Australia competition in 2006) including two vocalists and a violinist, their music has to be heard to be believed. With The Aurora Veil, a three-track, thirty minute demo released in 2007, Ne Obliviscaris have already proven capable of creating richly textured and deeply expressive music that many mature bands could only dream of.
What’s impressive is the way Ne Obliviscaris utilize their instruments. Guitar riffs, independent basslines, violin leads, and vocals seamlessly intertwine, creating a sonic whirlwind capable of wowing even the most seasoned metal veteran. Bass or violin will often play lead melodies while the guitar takes a back seat. Long instrumental breaks abound, as do sections with sung and screamed vocals delivered concurrently. Verse-chorus-verse? Forget it. Ne Obliviscaris’ compositions gradually unfold, forming a continuous linear progression from start to finish.
The band plans to release its debut sometime in 2008, after finding a replacement for their lead guitarist and finding a suitable label. If the demo material is any indication, the world may have to brace itself for the next metal behemoth; however, potential fans would do well to not let the “metal” label deter them. This is not metal of the typical, balls-to-the-wall thrashy sort. This is a more subtle, expressive form, whose appeal may well reach out of the typical confines of metal.
More on Ne Obliviscaris:
Official MySpace
Official Website
|
| 
|
|
