Obsidian Conspiracy

This is Nevermore stripped down a bit, not as technical as on previous albums like This Godless Endeavor, and Dead Heart In A Dead World. Those two, along with Politics of Ecstasy are this band's three best albums in my opinion. All their other releases are excellent, but if you want to really hear some amazing metal, pick those up before this one if you're new to this band. The thing is, this is a band that can pull off an album like Obsidian, and still have it turn out to be one killer slice of metal. Jeff Loomis, one of the best guitarists in metal right now, still comes up with good riffs and his solos are like on every other Nevermore release: Flawless. Other reviewers stated that Warrel Dane's vocals were more of the focal point of this album, but I don't think so. His voice is still metal perfection, but it doesn't take anything away from the other instruments. Van Williams and Jim Shepperd are able to show that have also mastered the bass and drums. I would tell anyone who liked Dreaming Neon Black, that they would definitely like this release. It's not the best this band can come up with, but like all great bands, Nevermore always manages to bring forth a solid dose of metal that will be in your player for days after you buy this. Next? I'd love to see these guys put out a two-hour double disc adventure into more of what Godless Endeavor hinted at. That would be something to hear. Make sure this one finds a place in your Nevermore collection-you won't regret it!

Don't get me wrong, the album is amazing, I love it, this edition is outstanding, but the seller send me an package with missing items, and it was impossible to get the missing items. They solve the problem giving me back $5. The point is that I would like to have a complete edition as I expected when I did the purchase.

I've restarted this "review" now 4 times because I just can't figure out how or what to say other than "Wow".This album is an absolute SCORCHER. The instrumentals are viscious, haunting, beautiful, and forebodingly threatening. A mix of sledgehammer crushing and of pinpricking maniacal shivers.Warrel Dane (and the vocals in general) are true to form: the clean harmonies have that chantlike, eerie quality. In the moments of rage and anger they have his telltale quality of both screaming in your face yet being still restrained enough to sound like someone roiling over with such emotion that you can almost imagine molten blood dripping from the corners of his mouth.Man... that sounds like cheesy pulp fiction there, but ... WOW. Everything I had hoped it would be and then some. Between this and Overkill's Ironbound I feel as if those who would ever claim that "heavy metal is dead" just need to play those two discs and then succinctly shut their mouths and keep quiet.

Nevermore takes musicianship, metal music, progressive rythms, pinpoint accuracy, visciously uncompromising insideous melody and arrangement, and lays it out through delicious production. A treasure of an album from a treasure of a band. I am deeply thankful for their efforts and cannot imagine anything less from them. Put on your crash helmet, sharpen your pencil, and get ready to be tested, because this is not for the meak or shallow listener. If you like aspects about Rush, Metallica, Steve Vai and Dream Theatre you will enjoy this - and maybe even more than alot of everything else you've heard in metal. I must also mention here to you to listen to their masterpiece, "The Godless Endeavor". Their albums look and tone like they're subversive or satanic but they're not at all. Warrel Dane's (the lead singer) poetry is world class, rebellious, crirical, truthful, dramatic, political, and elevated for listeners who are aware of the beautifully neurotic world we live in. Thanks, Nevermore.

This album has a lot to live up to after 2005's "This Godless Endevour". This album may not top TGE, but it does not disapoint. It has been a few years and both Warel and Jeff have both released their solo albums. I think that the solo projects may have taken away from the bands progress, after all it has been 5 years since their last release. The albums songs are shorter and to the point with less repition and fewer repeating choruses. Warel's lyrics and vocals are amazing, but Jeff's relentless guitar shredding remains to be the driving force behind most of the songs. Nevermore continues to add great material to their catalog, and remains one of the few bands to have never released a bad album.

I am a new Nevermore fan and have actually become a fan only after being exposed to tracks of this killer album. 'And the maiden spoke' was the first track i heard and i was hooked after that. The whole album is packed with great tracks. Guitar work is amazing and i must say that Van Williams is an absolutely fantastic drummer, the way he mixes up his styles, tempos and time signatures is excellent. Just listen to the title track you'll know what i mean. As a new Nevermore fan, not having listened to earlier stuff to compare this to, i am extremely satisfied with this album.

I read some negative reviews on this album .,witch made me hesitate on my purchase., Ignore them . fantastic c.d. ,Just as good as past albums .,If not better.

A solid effort but, as some here have already pointed out, not their best. Saying that, when Nevermore are not hitting their average, they are still miles ahead of the competition. It is not the almost classic that 'This Godless Endeavour' was and does not even touch 'The Politics of Ecstasy' (my personal choice for the top of the Nevermore hall of fame) or indeed 'Dead Heart...' (which is a very close second). It nestles safely somewhere between 'Dreaming Neon Black' and 'Enemies...' in terms of tone and quality.There does seem to be a concerted effort to make the tracks more accessible and as a result it comes across as their least heaviest collection. This is no means a bad thing as most of the tracks are absolute corkers!'The Termination Proclamation' and 'Poison Throne' are 4 star, riff-tangled bread and butter Nevermore and are great without being particularly outstanding. It is with the following 3 tracks that the true meat of the feast is wheeled out. 'Moonrise', 'And the Maiden Spoke' and 'Emptiness Unobstructed' are all utter classics and by far the best tracks on the album. It is difficult to pick a favourite between them as they are all equally as good as well as being very different arrangements.'The Blue Marble & the New Soul' is not just a mouthful of a track but a bit dawdling and boring. Warrell Dane's influence as a solo artist is definitely seen here, as well as on 'She Comes in Colours' which is similar, slightly better but missing something - not sure what, passion I suppose, possibly a better, less plodding tune?'Without Morals' is a belter and only just misses out on instant classic status, but it is one of the better tracks. As is 'The Day they Built the Wall' which can plod at times but hits all the right notes. Not perfect but not bad. The title track is a great Nevermore closer, kind of similar to 'Seed Awakening' but (yes you guessed it) not as good. The 2 covers at the end are not really Nevermore at all and not very good.Overall it is a very good album and a good place to start if you are new to Nevermore as it is accessible and full of great songs. But if you want classic, it has to 'Politics', Dead...' or 'Godless...'Also the packaging and extra bumff is all top notch for the price.

Excelent

Another tour-de-force from this under-rated band. Perhaps not as brutal as "Dead Heart" but still astonishing in its range & power. File alongside Iced Earth & Arch Enemy

I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Warrel's solo effort (praises to the war machine), but it's still a terrific Metal album and well worth listening too.

I love Nevermore and this pack is very very beautiful!!! I recommend it very much