Album Review: Obelisk-Brushed with Darkness.
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Words by Anselm AndersonOne-man band Obelisk is set to release his much-anticipated debut album, titled Brushed with Darkness, next Friday. The 10-track LP is a collection of the singer's most personal songs, reflecting themes of depression, identity, emotion, and perseverance in a world full of mystery. Obelisk is an enigma, a masked musician hailing from the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. He draws inspiration from bands like Sleep Token, Electric Callboy and Bring Me The Horizon. His unique blend of textured music has earned him acclaim for his previously released singles. His work captures the essence of a tortured soul, expressed through poignant storytelling and a chaotic yet powerful mix of electronic rock and metal. The lyrics feature sharp verses delivered in a poetic style. |
I was impressed by the opening intro of stark, symphonic string arrangements blended with dark, gothic melodic lines. This gave me the impression of a talented person with a conflicted mind, possessing a keen ear for music and the ability to express their inner emotions through beautiful melodies. The feisty 'Where Do You End?' switches gears with punchy, percussive beats and sonically delivered verses, blended with pop-hook-laden choruses reminiscent of bands like Ghost. The intense, jagged riffs in 'Karmaleon' mark a shift in style, combining death metal vocals with catchy, melodic elements to create a chaotic fusion of metal, rock, and rap.
Obelisk aims to change styles and ideas throughout the album to express his struggles with identity and depression. For instance, in the track 'Working Class Zero,' he incorporates elements of murky black metal alongside gothic influences and melodic vocals, which together evoke a feeling of doom and entrapment. I believe this keeps the album interesting. For example, it adopts a more mainstream approach with the electro-pop tracks "Stardust Cycle" and "Tragically Designed," which seem to be attempts to create dance tracks that uplift the mood and remind listeners that the entire album isn't all sombre.
The album starts to feel tiring and lightweight with the melodic tracks "Have You Ever Seen the Sunset at 3 PM" and "Set Me Free," which seem more like fill-in songs. This may reflect the musician's sense of loss before he opens up about his struggles with loneliness and despair in "Plaything." The eerie, thick, distorted electronics paired with the emotive pleas in "Obelisk" convey the singer's angst and sense of desperation.
The album concludes with "Smiling Politely," a melancholic rock track in which Obelisk openly expresses his inner struggles with depression and loss. The combination of electronics and haunting howls creates an unsettling atmosphere, while the melodic vocals convey a sense of desperation for escape and acceptance.
Overall, 'Brushed with Darkness' is a cathartic exercise for a mysterious figure with a lot of pain and angst that he is comfortable sharing with the world through his unique style and fashion.
'Brushed with Darkness' will be released on December 12th
'Brushed with Darkness' Track listing:
1: Slifer, the executive producer;
2: Where Do you End?
3: Karmaeleon;
4: Working Class Zero;
5: Stardust Cycle;
6: Tragically Designed;
7: Have You Ever Seen The Sunset at 3pm?
8: Set Me Free;
9: Plaything;
10: Smiling Politely.
Obelisk Social Media Accounts
Obelisk Social Media Accounts
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Copyright: Anselm Anderson ©
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