Wallachian Cobwebs "Night Sobbed a Potion Diseased"

   Once again we are gifted with a ghastly sounding dungeon synth release that slowly rises out of the Carpathian catacombs and spreads across the land striking fear in the hearts and minds of listeners. This sophomore release from Wallachian Cobwebs titled, "Night Sobbed a Potion Diseased," is full of ghoulish sounding arrangements and the musician behind this one-man project, Count Räumula, is like a dungeon synth mad scientist when it comes to composing. 

   “Night Sobbed a Potion Diseased,” definitely continues from where the debut album, “Hearken to the Moon Whisper,” left off in terms of establishing a profound and unique dungeon synth sound. However, I would argue that this new release comes across as even more grandiose when pertaining to the album's production, and the album feels extremely cinematic at times. One thing though that can be said about both releases is that the recording quality and overall atmospheres are unbelievably brilliant sounding. 

   Another interesting difference between the two albums is that this one departs from the vampiric lore of the debut release to explore a tale influenced by the story of Frankenstein. On the new album there is still a strong emphasis placed on creating haunting synth melodies to lull you into a vivid atmospheric dominion. The album’s opening track, “The Electrical Secrets of Heaven,” is the starting point for which this tale of utter madness is to begin and the sound effects that accompany the synth arrangements do a tremendous job setting up the album's horrific conceptual themes. Again, this album really feels cinematic and you can envision all that you hear, which in a way is borderline frightening come to think of it!

   The music flawless flows throughout the entire release and always keeps you engaged as the synth arrangements evolve to compliment the current mood of the story. On track number three, “A Lonely Walk,” there are some vocals provided by The Specter who is the mysterious and extremely creative driving force behind the phenomenal dungeon synth act, Old Tower. I really liked the vocals parts provided during the song, which I thought added another element of horrifying suspense to the music’s already bone chilling sounding theme. Although I would say that the album’s title track is where the music really reaches this climatic and heart pounding part of the story. During the track you can feel the rush of heightened emotion from the climate of chaos going on as the noise builds and builds. 

   Towards the end the album, the music begins to return to a state of calm and comforting darkness as the tale of this human creation brought back from the dead comes to a tragic end. The synth parts of this release always seem to find a way to evolve and transition when needed, making this a very dynamic sounding ambient release, which is extremely impressive when you look at the album as a whole. 

   “Night Sobbed a Potion Diseased,” is arguably one of the most well composed and recorded albums I have heard so far this year, especially when I think of an album leaving an impact after I've listened to it. Count Räumula is truly becoming a force within the dungeon synth community and Wallachian Cobwebs is an act I highly recommend checking out. In my opinion, this type of work ethic and dedication to craft such profound music definitely deserves high praise. I most certainly look forward to what shall come next from this musician who dwells in the shadows of forbidden Wallachian crypts. Seriously, where else can someone record such nightmare inducing music?! Sure as hell was not recorded in one of those shit holes in LA where they serve wheatgrass smoothies! 

Wallachian Cobwebs bandcamp:

https://wallachiancobwebs.bandcamp.com/album/night-sobbed-a-potion-diseased-2

Obsolete "Animate//Isolate "

    Do not let the colorful flowers on the album cover fool you! Obsolete’s debut album, “Animate//Isolate,” is like a titanic sized death/thrash napalm shower violently raining down upon the metal world. Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, this group of savage extreme metal musicians hammers out an endless technical onslaught of pure malevolent sounding metal music. 

    Working with Unspeakable Axe Records for the release of the album, I really feel as though Obsolete puts their own stamp on what one would expect to hear from a young and hungry extreme metal band. I will be honesty and admit that death/thrash albums have become rather repetitive over the last couple years with a few exceptions. Actually, I would say that most of those exceptions have come from Unspeakable Axe Records, mainly because whoever runs the label seems to know what is going on in terms of quality sounding metal music. 

    Obsolete joins the Unspeakable Axe ranks by putting together a fierce sounding album and utterly decimates all that stand in their path by writing some solid cuts of technical brutality. From start to finish, the caliber of musician displayed on this album was unbelievably impressive. As much as I want to keep putting over their musicianship, I have to also highlight the band’s strong songwriting skills. The overall production was definitely something I noticed right away. Each track conveys such raw and passionate energy that you become completely engulfed by these blistering guitar riffs and ear crushing drum parts. 

    The album’s opening track, “Still,” begins by unleashing a blizzard of distorted chaos across the musical landscape and sends seismic shockwaves from behind the drummer’s kit with enough force to level a town. Also, the band knows how to compose dynamic arrangements, so you are not inundated with sloppy death thrash riffs that maintain the same boring tempo throughout the entire song. 

    Tracks like, “The Slough,” “Old Horizon” and “Silent Freeway,” all exhibit a plethora of tormenting technical guitar work. Also, the vocals throughout this album are truly haunting and convey that unapologetic nature that one would expect from early death metal records that have ruthless thrash metal elements as well. Currently, I have noticed too many metal artists trying to sound aggressive and end up sounding like their parent’s would not give them ice cream for dessert, so they decided to form a metal band and scream like a pack of pestilent children. 

    Moving on, “The Fog,” was probably my favorite song off of this album and is definitely a track that I think most fans of extreme death thrash metal will enjoy. The guitar playing once again is executed with such savage precision and the vocals provide a sinister touch to the overall tsunami of brutality. The last song on the album, "Intercostal," was a close second in terms of top tracks and contains some mind bending rhythms to construct one venomous composition. 

    In conclusion, out of the nine tracks featured on this album I do not believe listeners will be disappointed. If anything, they are going to get their skin shredded off by the raw sounding aggression that this band delivers. Obsolete does not fumble the ball with their debut album, “Animate//Isolate,” and builds up anticipation for what this band is capable of coming up with next. This group of musicians does not need any cheesy gimmicks, or cartoony sounding lyrics to get people interested. They let the music do the talking, and after listening to this album, they are making a pretty powerful statement! 

Check out the song "Still" below : 

Album comes out April 19th, 2021. Pre-order through Unspeakable Axe Records below:

http://www.unspeakableaxerecords.com/