Obskuritatem (Bosnia & Herzegovina) - Arogantni nihilizam (Album 2022)

The return of the Bosnian tyrant, with a new, upcoming full-length offering! A beast which should need no introduction, Obskuritatem celebrates this year 10 years of existence, and 10 years of plaguing the underground, always creeping through the shadows but conjuring some of the most vile and celebrated Raw Black Metal, particularly since 2016’s iconic “Vampirska kakofonija“, making it arguably one of the most important acts of the current scene (one it so much despises), and one of the most seminal acts of the post-LLN milieu. With this massive record, the infamous torch-bearer of the Black Plague Circle (dis)graces us with his third full-length ordeal, and one which shall certainly leave perpetual scars on both mind and flesh. Celebrating the arrival of death, and always carrying its restless flame, “Arogantni nihilizam“ feels both nostalgic as unfamiliar, surprising as expected. While maintaining a deadly but cleaner production than the project’s pre-2018 era, this album seemingly travels more along the lines of the excellent “U kraljevstvu mrtvih...“, nourishing on what made that album so good in the first place, such as the intrepid drumming, murderous dual-guitar assaults and the merciless liver-punch of the incredible tempo changes. Still much inspired by the LLN, particularly “Black Millenium“-era Mütiilation I’d say, and incorporating some excellent eerie guitar solos which do not sound too unlike “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas“ and even some passages with clear Deathspell Omega influence, this record is still submerged in nihilistic noise and murderous hatred, grimy production and an absolutely buzzing, brain-melting guitar tone that worked so well in the 2017 album but really causes extra damage with the more refined production. An album which shall certainly please fans of the first track of the last EP, “U mrak iz mraka“, but sees O. somehow improving his songwriting skills and variability, incorporating even more layers to his sound, more variety in riffing styles, as in the more melodic 4th track or the ending of the 2nd, or the murderous beginning of “Sanjao sam da sam živ“ with a primitive but flaying riff; also incorporating synthesizers, interludes with a strong funereal bass and organic guitars and, contrary to most cases, the deadly covers and homage to Mütiilation and Nargaroth classics also certainly enrich the album. Another brilliant work of pure Bosnian darkness, certainly one of the best record we’ll hear this year, further solidifying why this project and scene remains so relevant and even more important now, in the current scenario of Black Metal, keeping alive and well the flames of evil and the decrepit essence of unbridled hatred that should always remain hidden but never forgotten. Written and recorded by Obskuritatem, 2019/2021. Mixed and mastered by Revenant H. at Advocatus Diaboli Studios. Session bass by Revenant H. Brown solo on “(De)generacija propasti“ by Midgaars of Lugubrum. “DESTROY YOUR LIFE FOR SATAN“ originally written and performed by Mütiilation. “POSSESSED BY BLACK FUCKING METAL“ originally written and performed by Nargaroth. To be released by Black Gangrene Productions on 2LP/CD. Black Plague Circle: Black Gangrene Productions: Tracklist: 1 Arogantni nihilizam 00:00 2 Breme crnih dana 09:12 3 Sanjao sam da sam živ 15:56 4 (De)generacija propasti 22:50 5 Vijore se zastave srama 30:42 6 Destroy Your Life for Satan (Mütiilation Cover) 38:51 7 Crna rupa 44:38 8 Dok sve ne pocrni 48:45 9 Apoteoza smrti 55:11 10 Kraj 59:49 11 Possessed by Black Fucking Metal (Nargaroth Cover) 01:03:13 ©BLACK PLAGUE CIRCLE, 2021.