Dutch Polyrhythmic-Melodic-Progressive-Death metallers OBSIDIAN have self-released their debut album. Even though they have been around since 1998, this is their first release and judging from the overall quality of this CD, what we have here is a very interesting and dedicated band that I hope will evolve into something greater in the future.

Let's just make one thing clear from the start; they play technical and very, but very, complex music. Yes, they are in the same vein as MESHUGGAH, SCARVE, CYNIC, yet they manage to produce a sound of their own. I know that many people will not like them (because of their complex sound structures), whereas others will love them.

I am torn in the middle; on the one hand I do love listening to a band and experiencing how they play and experiment with sound and notes, but on the other hand, after a while I get a bit tired - there were, literally, times that I felt myself exhausted (and that happens rarely these days).

Nonetheless, I have to hand it to them as they have certainly achieved to produce an album worthy to stand on a par level with some of the best in this genre. Overall, even though it did tire me at times, I know that this band is destined for much greater things and I'm hoping that they will continue their music quest with their next album. Fans of the genre shouldn't even think twice before purchasing this album…