Review Summary: Hard rockin’, coarse talkin’, booty swappin’ album that lacks variety but is still show stoppin’ and pill poppin’.
Oblation is a sludge metal album with a tiny bit of doom inspiration, but the heart of a hard rock album. Laid back singing is as common as garbage crusher riffs in a transparent agenda of chill, heavy tunes. Their hard rockin’ riffs with sudden, buzzsaw Earth tillers sound good with the vocalist’s smooth, casual tone. The guitar work remains similar throughout with pretty much interchangeable riffs, but it provides a safe space for vocals to equally share the spotlight. Unfortunately, the variation ends there and songs never truly stick to memory.
With some intensely catchy tunes nothing would stop this band, but sadly vocal hooks lack special sauce (aka rhythm). It’s an issue because the songwriting is as basic as it comes. The album blurs into some nice melodies and acceptable riffs, but nothing to really get the listener psyched for the next track. The drummer attempts to bring some energy here and there but otherwise tracks meander along like previously. Repetition is the progress killer here, at points I wondered if I was still on the same track when the track changed. Something - anything - could’ve sweetened the pot, but the album plays it safe, and also does so with little power vocally. The man can sing fine, but is a stock sludge metal singer devoid of memorable qualities.
Floor know their sound well but continue with what’s good enough and don’t sound quite as passionate as they easily could. Maybe it’s the point, to just bring good vibes and easy tracks to sink into like an old couch. It seems to be the band’s staying power for while I don’t remember any choruses or songs by themselves, I do remember feeling good when listening to tracks. Both the riffs and vocals were easily digestable, and continuously sustained my interest. I enjoyed the album, you might say that’s the reason I listen to music. Despite all my reservations, Oblation is an album to check out. They may not differentiate themselves much from a standard sludge metal band, but they make their style sound good. Rock on brother man.
