Northlane
Obsidian


2.5
average

Review

by Tyler White STAFF
April 22nd, 2022 | 870 replies


Release Date: 2022 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A product of industrialization

I’m at a loss for words. Not because Obsidian is breath-taking or that this is the worst thing to ever cross my ears. No, I’m at a loss because there isn’t anything to say, really. Which is ironic for how overwhelming this record can be at times. There is so much going on without much coming out of it. Northlane dives deeper into their balancing act of their metalcore and industrial/electronic mix, yet fails to mesh the two cohesively. Instead, Obsidian suffers from an amalgamation of ideas and concepts without a point; a disjointed mess of metal compositions and electronic elements interacting much like oil and water. Despite a few successful choruses (title track and “Clockwork'') and the occasional heavy groove that garners attention (“Xen” and “Clarity”), the record disregards coherent progression and instead opts to put similarly styled tracks together and hope for the best. This isn’t the same Northlane they once were. No, that time has long since passed. Instead of being pioneers of a genre, their recent output feels like a mechanical product; something lacking any punch behind it. This is a modernized, industrialized, mechanized imbalance. Obsidian never finds its groove and attempts to compensate with an overwhelming mass of elements that have no final destination.



Recent reviews by this author
Diamond Construct Angel Killer ZeroGreyhaven Stereo Grief
Night Verses Every Sound Has a Color...: Part IINight Verses Every Sound Has a Color...: Part I
The Callous Daoboys God Smiles Upon the Callous DaoboysRed (USA) Rated R
user ratings (269)
3.4
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
tyman128
Staff Reviewer
April 22nd 2022


4508 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

might as well jump on the short rev train too

not a fan of this one, doesn't really go anywhere for me (except for the last three tracks, those are solid)

Purpl3Spartan
April 22nd 2022


8536 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

banger review

Nipple
April 22nd 2022


793 Comments


Sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks

ALONEAFLAME
April 22nd 2022


35 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

First time listening to this now. I'm confused. It's so fucking bland and anticlimactic



It's like they only took the worst elements of both techno and metalcore: Here we have repetitive riffs and repetitive samples

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
April 22nd 2022


4508 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

yeah pretty much, just feels like they put whatever element they could into an album

Nipple
April 22nd 2022


793 Comments


What they couldnt fit a whole human being in there hahahaha hey guys ill be here entertaining yall tonight and whats the deal with cheese platters? Arent cheese WOFF WOOFF WOOFF

Purpl3Spartan
April 22nd 2022


8536 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

northlane casserole

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
April 22nd 2022


4508 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

a classic thanksgiving dish

JayEnder
April 22nd 2022


19792 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

"It's so fucking bland and anticlimatic" - guy with a Node avi

Purpl3Spartan
April 22nd 2022


8536 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

true

ALONEAFLAME
April 22nd 2022


35 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

at least node had a bit more prog and technicality to it.



and I personally love the weird mix in Node where the drums are upfront



Is this a test is legit such a bad song I cannot believe northlane wrote it

Faraudo
April 22nd 2022


4605 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I've personally enjoyed every single record they've released and this is no exception lmao

Purpl3Spartan
April 22nd 2022


8536 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

Is this a test is the worst song I've ever heard from them

JeetJeet
April 22nd 2022


12160 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

lmfaoo nahhh this shit bangs I'm sorry

Purpl3Spartan
April 22nd 2022


8536 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

Do you like boring djent riffs with synths cut and pasted over it and half cooked choruses?



JeetJeet
April 22nd 2022


12160 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Nova sounds like some shit straight outta the 90s

Crxmateo
Contributing Reviewer
April 22nd 2022


164 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I can’t believe how boring this album is

JayEnder
April 22nd 2022


19792 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Cypher is so good.

Pikazilla
April 22nd 2022


29743 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

It's a vibe.

JeetJeet
April 22nd 2022


12160 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Me, Pika, and Jay all agreeing on this being a good album. Look at us, who would've thought?



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy