Welcome to another album review on The Great Metal Debate podcast. I’m Xander, and today I’ll be talking about the upcoming album from the Nashville-based black metal duo Obsidian Shrine.
I’ve been a fan of Obsidian Shrine for nearly three years, since I discovered them in mid-2019. I never go the opportunity to see them live, but I have heard from many people that they always put on a good show for a local act. The band’s debut album – Anno Domini Satanas – is vastly overlooked and is a true hidden gem for any black metal fan. If the band Inquisition wasn’t already proof that you can make quality black metal with just two people, then let these two guys proove it witht their new album Bloodshed Under The Black Star.
The first song is the album title track, and immediately we are greeted with a cacophany of crystal clear yet rhythmic sound. It begins like any other well-produced modern black metal; but after 30 seconds, there is a sudden tempo change. It’s a pleasantly triumphant battle hymn, made up of a marching band-style drum roll for a small build-up. Then… hell is unleashed! When the raspy vocals of Murmur kick in, you pretty much know what you’re in for. This song’s surprises don’t end there. At the half-way mark we hear a guitar solo from none other than Sebastian Ramstedt from the old-school blackened death metal band Necrophobic. It’s a nice treat and fore-shadowing what’s to come later on in the album.
“Kingdom Of Sheep” is another standout track, as it begins with the ominous sound of sheep baaing. The last time I heard a song start off this way it was the song “Satan Spawn, The Caco-Daemon” by Deicide. However, the baaing doesn’t last near as long, as it is cut short by the snarls of a Baphomet. Plus, this song is absolutely nothing like the beginning of “Legion” as it is a very different musical style. The song itself is a dark-to-light.
“Only War Remains” is a track that truly showcases how good guitarist Nazgûl is at shredding. As for the song “Luciferian Wrath,” it’s every bit as diabolical as it sounds. “Angelus Mortem” is without a doubt the most evil song on the entire record – especially since most of the vocals are Murmur and Nazgûl at the same time. Which makes the song sound every bit as satanic as when Glen Benton and Dave Suzuki did on the last two Vital Remains albums.
Track 6 is called “Indoctrintoxin” and it’s probably the fastest song on the album due to the continuous blast-beats and the fast guitar strumming with plenty of distortion. Just like with all great modern metal releases, it just isn’t complete without a cover song from the most influential musicians to the band. I told you Necrophobic was coming back: track 7 is a near-identical re-recording of the song “Nailing The Holy One.” Obsidian Shrine has done an incredible job of honoring the metal gods!
“At The Gates” isn’t just the name of a Swedish metal band; it is also the name of the next song. Yet another standout track for the band. But the album concludes with a wonderful song about good old demonic possession. The final track is called “They Who Dwell Within,” which opens with an audio clip from the movie Exorcism Of Emily Rose. Once you hear the voice of actress Jennifer Carpenter say the name of the track, you are hit in the face with an unrelenting hellfire of a song. It’s an epic and hellish finale, which ends with the haunting message of Emily saying: “And I am Lucifer – the devil in the flesh.”
You can tell that Murmur and Nazgûl both poured their blackened hearts and souls into the production of this album. It was made for their small cult following of fans and their die-hard supporters. Do not sleep on this amazing black metal album – it’ll be worth every penny! I’m giving it a 9.5 out of 10. Obsidian Shrine’s Bloodshed Under the Black Star will be available on April 15th through Negative Earth Recordings. You can pre-order your copy of the CD and order their t-shirt on Bandcamp.com.