Info
- Band(s): Obeisance
- Label(s): Headsplit Records, Wit Duiwel Records
- Release Format(s): Cassette, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: March 6, 2025
- Author(s): Black Mary
Some people call it a ‘scene’, others refuse to do something even remotely similar, claiming there is no such thing as a scene and each of the bands included in it are very different entities… and there are bands who just kinda tag along. Some rightfully so and the others deserve much more recognition than their ‘hot shot’ bros get.
One of the later are definitely El Pasos Obeisance. Not that long ago the El Paso ‘scene’ was thriving with absolutely amazing bands (Nyoghtaeblisz, Satanik Goat Ritual, Nexul, Hellvetron etc.) but throughout the last couple of years the strength quickly diminished. I get it, people move on, shift their focus elsewhere and some unfortunately, pass away. Obeisance was actually one of the first bands from that side of the world I’ve heard and instantly loved. For a kid growing up in the 80’s Death Metal and Thrash were the steady diet until I started discovering Black Metal bands I actually liked (at the end of 90’s most of metal started going in very unpleasant directions and Black Metal was one of the worst casualties at the time)… so Obeisance literally stood there, combining all three in the proper manner. The cold atmosphere of Black Metal, the militant approach of Death Metal and the ferocity of Thrash. And yet, which was incredibly important to some of us (whose first language is not English) vocals and lyrics were understandable.
And even though they have been active for over three decades, they haven’t lost their initial idea or strayed away from it. Their 9th full length ‘7 Morbid Warheads’ still sounds like Obeisance sounded to that 14 year old kid almost 30 years ago. That feeling of bulldozing through just about anything in your way is still as strong as ever, not losing its force, power and determination.
It is difficult to maintain the initial formula you create your music / music taste on and as we have witnessed way too many times and once extreme bands will go into a more approachable sound until they make a caricature or even better a mockery out of themselves to keep themselves afloat. But at the same time, some are perfectly capable of doing just so, sticking to their own guns, not borrowing munition from anyone and even decades later not losing any of their ferocity and power. It’s admirable trait in every time, country, music genre and even in every scene (for which most people who are a part of it will claim it doesn’t exist), because it shows you’re in it for the right reasons.
While unfortunately this album went under the radar and the band never really received as much attention as they should, it’s amazing to see that weird adolescent who just started discovering the history of genocide and other forms of political and religious violence throughout history getting all excited because she also found the perfect soundtrack to go along the reading material… 30+ years later. That weirdo now has bills to pay, a bad back and a stress induced migraine, but the excitement is still there. Not every band will do that to you. Well, Obeisance did it for me.
Headsplit Records
- Country: USA
- Style: Death Metal, Grindcore, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
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Wit Duiwel Records
- Country: South Africa
- Style: Black Metal, Thrash Metal
- Links: Facebook
