Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Obduction
Label: Self-released
Released: 2007
Over the course of fourteen years, the Kranj-based band Obduction has gone through a few lineup changes and tried out several musical styles along the way. You could hear Obduction in thrash and heavy metal waters, all the way to progressive metal. Today the band’s lineup is stable and anchored mainly in alternative rock waters, where the influences of the older Obduction are still audible. How Obduction sound today is something you can hear on the first official recording with the revamped lineup, the demo Peephole Into Emotions, recorded last year.
Peephole Into Emotions shows Obduction in a definitely different light than at the start of their career or a few years ago. The main reason for that is the arrival of vocalist Mojca Zalar (Spleen), who has clearly rejuvenated and refreshed the band. Mojca is far from a vocalist you could compare to some “metal” frontwoman of the Evanescence, Within Temptation or newer Nightwish type, and that’s a big plus. Mojca’s voice isn’t sugar-coated or syrupy, it’s strong and convincing, flowing perfectly in the more aggressive, dynamic and faster lines as well as in the slower, more emotional parts. And Peephole Into Emotions is packed with both! Mojca’s voice is slightly reminiscent of Skin from Skunks Anansie or Sandra Nasić from Guano Apes, but Mojca is maybe even more convincing. Over a good forty minutes, the demo takes us through eight tracks of emotionally charged vocal lines, with a fantastic instrumental foursome lending a generous hand. On the rhythm front, bassist Gašper Gantar (Srečna mladina) and drummer Goran Ristić – Tigar (ex-God Scard) do a great job, effectively weaving together at times seriously funky and groovy bass lines, often backed up by dynamic slap technique (it comes to the fore mostly on the first and longest track, One Moment), while Tigar makes thorough use of the drums, with no shortage of varied fills, tempo changes and infectious cymbal work. Just as strong is one of the better guitar duos in the country. Dalibor Sarajlić (ex-Dusk Delight) and Mirko Ratković carry most of the album’s “metal” moments with fantastic guitar lines, especially with a few unforgettable riffs and phenomenal instrumental passages driven mainly by spectacular sweep solos. A word or two is also due on the breathtaking production, since Peephole Into Emotions is one of the best-produced releases around here, and the band recorded it in their own rehearsal space! The sound is clean and crystal clear, the rhythm section is easy to hear and complements the whole sonic picture perfectly, the guitar tone is sharp yet incredibly alive, and the whole thing is rounded off by the warmth of the vocals, which can be both aggressive and emotional.
Evolution-wise, Obduction have definitely come a long way, and even if they’re probably not to the taste of the wider metal crowd anymore, that doesn’t really matter, because right now Obduction are one of the most promising bands on the Slovenian alternative scene. Peephole Into Emotions is a masterful piece of work both instrumentally and vocally, and I just hope Obduction serve up a proper studio album soon. And I urge you to order this excellent release at: [email protected].
Lineup
Dado – guitar
Mirko – guitar
Goran – drums
Gasper – bass
Mojca – vocals
Production
Obduction
Tracklist
1. One moment
2. Home
3. Dilemma
4. Theatre of life
5. Tool
6. Metaphor
7. Box
8. Sara
