Ossuarium - Living Tomb
What the fuck is in the water in the Pacific Northwest???? It seems like it's the hotbed for killer death metal. For that, I'm stoked on many of those bands. Especially Ossuarium. A friend of mine, that's in a few touring bands, played a show with this Portland giant not too long ago and told me to check them out. I was completely satisfied by his suggestion. Their first recorded offering "Calcified Trophies Of Violence". Man, what a fucking demo! After being together only a year? Come on. DAMN it ripped. AND you had the feeling it could even get better with time. Give me more. NOW!
I saw an ad by 20 Buck Spin. It was for the upcoming Ossuarium full length. I couldn't pre order it fast enough. In doing so, I was given 1 track named 'Blaze Of Bodies'. I jammed that song over and over while staring at an album cover by THE Dan Seagrave. I couldn't help but think, that after the massive year we had for death metal in 2018, there was promise that the next year could be another major banger.
Now, onto "Living Tomb". After a short intro of feedback and gongs, you're lowered into the pits of Hell by the opener - 'Blaze Of Bodies'. A heavy/unrelenting/somber treat for the ears. Addictive riffs, pounding drums, tortured vocals, the perfectly placed death/doom grooves. The occasional addition of a ghostly electric/acoustic layer. MORE! MORE! Fuck! These guys are doing it exactly how it should be done.
Next, these 4 dudes continue to prove what a force they are with (one of my fave tracks) 'Vomiting Black Death'. The song's beginning is an eerie trance that consumes your very being. For just under half the song's length, you're placed into this calming yet frightening state of hypnosis.....then.....back to the pummeling that we learned to love in the opening number.
I honestly can't say enough good things about what I've heard. I'm only 12 minutes deep.
Jumping ahead to 'Writhing In Emptiness'. The magnitude of that opening riff! Coming off the heel's of 'Corrosive Hallucinations' epic ending; it's like a sonic blast. Paired with another sinister guitar lead. It makes the hair on your arms stand at up. This song represents of why I'm absolutely in love with this album. Crunching, punching, pulverizing, infectious and more. Midway through the song it takes a, fuck it - I'll say it, beautiful turn. After 2 minutes of being immersed into an almost soothing lead section that ONCE AGAIN gives me the chills, the battering takes over again; accompanied by more of Daniel Kelley's haunting vocals.
'End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 2' is the final track. Aye yi yi. The powerful beginning is reminiscent of a classic metal riff, but if the riff started carb loading and hit the gym 4 times a day. The utter weight of the riff. Fuck, I've restarted this song so many times and smile every single time. The song is a fucking legend. It's the perfect way to round out this album. Due to it's enormity, I'm speechless. And when it comes to me talking about music, that's hard to do.
Musically speaking, I'm not comparing them to, but much like old school Neurosis, Ossuarium has the ability to make a song more than just a listening experience. (Once again IMO). They take off the gloves, completely maul you, then seamlessly flow into passages of a higher state of consciousness. Time and space become nonexistent. You begin self reflection. You question your life choices. You feel every emotion possible. As this tranquillity shifts from horrifying to peaceful and you begin to breathe deeply, you're trampled again. What a ride! The capability to create such a state must be next to impossible and isn't something I encounter often. Yet, this is a craft they have mastered. This part of the review may seem a little "out there", but I truly hope once you've had the chance to hear this album, you'll know what I mean.
"Living Tomb" is a must! From beginning to end, it's an absolute beast. I predict it will be one of the year's best! Ossuarium WILL be one of the bands that's added to all the year end lists and gets talked about more and more. If you need a merch guy, gimme a call, I'll quit my job.
I'm gonna put this here, since this may be a controversial statement. I wrote it. Then I deleted it. But I've got to be honest to myself and add it... the electric/acoustic (is that even the phrase?) work is up there with "Master Of Puppets" era Metallica. I may never get to review for this site again after such a comparison. But, growing up with that album, it played a large roll in the formation of my musical tastes. It's colossal and is mood affecting. Bravo, guys! There, I said it!
Stand out tracks, since I can't say all of them:
'Blaze Of Bodies'
'Vomiting Black Death'
'Writhing In Emptiness'
'End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 2'
[embed]
I saw an ad by 20 Buck Spin. It was for the upcoming Ossuarium full length. I couldn't pre order it fast enough. In doing so, I was given 1 track named 'Blaze Of Bodies'. I jammed that song over and over while staring at an album cover by THE Dan Seagrave. I couldn't help but think, that after the massive year we had for death metal in 2018, there was promise that the next year could be another major banger.
Now, onto "Living Tomb". After a short intro of feedback and gongs, you're lowered into the pits of Hell by the opener - 'Blaze Of Bodies'. A heavy/unrelenting/somber treat for the ears. Addictive riffs, pounding drums, tortured vocals, the perfectly placed death/doom grooves. The occasional addition of a ghostly electric/acoustic layer. MORE! MORE! Fuck! These guys are doing it exactly how it should be done.
Next, these 4 dudes continue to prove what a force they are with (one of my fave tracks) 'Vomiting Black Death'. The song's beginning is an eerie trance that consumes your very being. For just under half the song's length, you're placed into this calming yet frightening state of hypnosis.....then.....back to the pummeling that we learned to love in the opening number.
I honestly can't say enough good things about what I've heard. I'm only 12 minutes deep.
Jumping ahead to 'Writhing In Emptiness'. The magnitude of that opening riff! Coming off the heel's of 'Corrosive Hallucinations' epic ending; it's like a sonic blast. Paired with another sinister guitar lead. It makes the hair on your arms stand at up. This song represents of why I'm absolutely in love with this album. Crunching, punching, pulverizing, infectious and more. Midway through the song it takes a, fuck it - I'll say it, beautiful turn. After 2 minutes of being immersed into an almost soothing lead section that ONCE AGAIN gives me the chills, the battering takes over again; accompanied by more of Daniel Kelley's haunting vocals.
'End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 2' is the final track. Aye yi yi. The powerful beginning is reminiscent of a classic metal riff, but if the riff started carb loading and hit the gym 4 times a day. The utter weight of the riff. Fuck, I've restarted this song so many times and smile every single time. The song is a fucking legend. It's the perfect way to round out this album. Due to it's enormity, I'm speechless. And when it comes to me talking about music, that's hard to do.
Musically speaking, I'm not comparing them to, but much like old school Neurosis, Ossuarium has the ability to make a song more than just a listening experience. (Once again IMO). They take off the gloves, completely maul you, then seamlessly flow into passages of a higher state of consciousness. Time and space become nonexistent. You begin self reflection. You question your life choices. You feel every emotion possible. As this tranquillity shifts from horrifying to peaceful and you begin to breathe deeply, you're trampled again. What a ride! The capability to create such a state must be next to impossible and isn't something I encounter often. Yet, this is a craft they have mastered. This part of the review may seem a little "out there", but I truly hope once you've had the chance to hear this album, you'll know what I mean.
"Living Tomb" is a must! From beginning to end, it's an absolute beast. I predict it will be one of the year's best! Ossuarium WILL be one of the bands that's added to all the year end lists and gets talked about more and more. If you need a merch guy, gimme a call, I'll quit my job.
I'm gonna put this here, since this may be a controversial statement. I wrote it. Then I deleted it. But I've got to be honest to myself and add it... the electric/acoustic (is that even the phrase?) work is up there with "Master Of Puppets" era Metallica. I may never get to review for this site again after such a comparison. But, growing up with that album, it played a large roll in the formation of my musical tastes. It's colossal and is mood affecting. Bravo, guys! There, I said it!
Stand out tracks, since I can't say all of them:
'Blaze Of Bodies'
'Vomiting Black Death'
'Writhing In Emptiness'
'End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 2'
[embed]
1. Intro
2. Blaze Of Bodies 04:43
3. Vomiting Black Death
4. Corrosive Hallucinations
5. Writhing In Emptiness
6. End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 1
7. Malicious Equivalence
8. End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 2
2. Blaze Of Bodies 04:43
3. Vomiting Black Death
4. Corrosive Hallucinations
5. Writhing In Emptiness
6. End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 1
7. Malicious Equivalence
8. End Of Life Dreams And Visions Pt. 2
