Obsequiae - Suspended In The Brume Of Eos

Shit's getting fantasy up in this blog.

"Medieval black metal" - when I think this I imagine nerds in corpsepaint doing some live action roleplaying in their parent's backyard, wooden swords, Halloween costumes, and everything. Obsequiae hasn't done much to change my view of "medieval" black metal with Suspended In The Brume Of Eos, but they have convinced me that these nerds are fucking great at making music.

Twelve tracks of very melodic, semi-folksy, somewhat technical black metal. That's exactly what Suspended In The Brume Of Eos is, but unlike the bands those descriptors generally apply to, Obsequiae doesn't sound stupid or appeal to the Hot Topic demographic. The folk influence is also limited to the numerous between-track interludes like "Sidhe" and "Wildes Deer." All throughout the album the technically proficient and memorable "medieval" riffing pops up, notably on the superlative title track, "Altars Of Moss," and "Starlit Shore." Like the riffs, the drumming is also a highlight. There's plenty of sweet fills, good use of cymbals, and the staple black metal blastbeats. These elements combine to produce a strong pre-Renaissance atmosphere that'll have you headbanging while imagining yourself at a jousting contest drunk off your ass in revelry.

Suspended In The Brume Of Eos features a strong production for black metal that keeps the instruments clean and treble heavy without sounding fake or overcompressed. The vocals are low in the mix, which is perfectly fine since the riffs are the highlight here. Overall the album pretty much just kicks ass and you should check it out. In a year that's been piss-poor for black metal, Obsequiae really shines.

8.25 out of 10

Tracklisting:

1.	Altars of Moss
2.	Sidhe
3.	In the White Fields
4.	Suspended in the Brume of Eos
5.	Wildes Heer
6.	The Wounded Fox
7.	Atonement
8.	Estas Redit
9.	Arrows
10.	The Starlit Shore
11.	Boreas
12.	Cabin Lights