Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Obidil
Release: 2009
Length: 48:20
Rating: 4.5/5
Obidil formed in 2000, and two years later they released their debut, The Magic Word. On that first record they served up an interesting blend of progressive, symphonic and power metal, backed by melodic female vocals. After a few lineup changes among key members, the band’s future looked uncertain, but Obidil are finally back with their new album Stardust. And stronger than ever! Where The Magic Word was at times plagued by a slight lack of identity and the occasional slide into symphonic power metal clichés, Stardust is a clear step forward. The album took quite a while to make, but in the meantime the band matured in both style and genre, sharpened their musicianship and delivered a complex record that draws inspiration from many corners of metal and rock, built up with their own experience. Last but not least, the lineup was freshened up and rounded out by two members of heavy metal champions Metalsteel: Rok Tomšič on guitar and Matej Sušnik on bass.
The opening track The Dragon’s Story makes it clear right away that Obidil mean business. Stardust is stripped of any power metal kitsch, built instead on songs with complex arrangements, constant shifts in tempo and rhythm, colorful interplay between keyboards and guitar lines, and a bombastic rhythm section. This time the keyboards take on the role of carrying the atmosphere and ambience of the songs, nicely complementing the other instruments with lovely lines, while Katarina’s vocals and the instrumental passages weave together superbly and play off the guitar and bass lines. The song structures are wildly varied, dynamic and lively, and it’s precisely this complexity that lets us call Obidil a progressive rock/metal band too. But no one’s showing off at the expense of the others: the band works as one unit, and in the instrumental sections, where Katarina hands the spotlight to the guys, everyone gets their moment to shine. Rok and Tomaž play some unforgettable lines, riffs and solos that shift within the songs themselves and, together with the keyboards, build up the dynamics and atmosphere. A great example is the fantastic, punchy intro to The Heart of Stone, where the guitars and keyboards, in a proper show of instrumental bravura, are joined by devastating, hugely dynamic drumming from the hands and feet of Klemen Markelj, plus the unforgettable bass work of bass master Andrej Čufar. It’s a treat to hear bass playing this good on a Slovenian release, too: a colorful bass rumble that, with its occasional gallops, recalls the masterpieces of Iron Maiden mastermind Steve Harris and other bass guitar giants. The instrumental foursome’s spectacular show is capped off perfectly by the fantastic vocal performance of Katarina Globočnik. Her interpretation is downright brilliant, as she’s equally pleasing to the ear with a warm, natural mid-range voice and in the higher, operatic register. Katarina convinces in every respect: she’s powerful, confident and emotional.
Stardust is a record of many faces: from gentle and mellow all the way to explosions of aggression and speed. On the album Obidil play with influences from many genres, packaged into one of the more unique and distinctive releases around here, a remarkably cohesive and mature whole. Even though the album is rhythmically and arrangement-wise an extremely complex piece of work, full of countless twists, instrumental workouts and different vocal approaches, it slips easily into your ears and stays there, thanks in part to its fantastic, catchy choruses. But the biggest plus is that even after countless listens it doesn’t lose its charm; if anything, it only gets better.
Lineup
Katarina Globočnik – vocals
Matej Sušnik – bass
Klemen Markelj – drums
Tomaž Jelenc – guitar
Rok Tomšič – guitar
Production
Sašo Kisovec and Matej Režek
Tracklist
1. The Dragon’s Story I
2. The Dragon’s Story II
3. The Heart of Stone
4. Dreamers (Burnin’ Out in Hatred)
5. Castles in the Air
6. Stardust
7. Saturday Night
8. Into the Darkness
9. The Shelter of Your Misery
10. Electric Soul
