Nevermore's Obsidian Conspiracy

[SoundMaster]

I’m floored!
The Obsidian Conspiracy is, to my ears, Nevermore’s masterwork. And that’s saying a lot based on the strength of their catalogue.

I never thought they’d top “Dead Heart In A Dead World” but I think they actually have. This release seems far more dynamic than either of the last two (which were of course strong albums).

Tracks such as "Your Poison Throne" and "Without Morals" are fantastic.

An obvious contender for album of the year.

What are your thoughts on this release?

 

[poundingmetal74]

Nevermore's always been one of those bands that just never quite grabbed me. Loomis is a brilliant player, top notch production, great musicianship but like A7X and Disturbed, they just never put all the pieces together in the right way, IMO.

Matt Smith from Theocracy did his own vocals for The Obsidian Conspiracy, and for my money, it blows the Dane version outta the water:

 

[Platinum Maze]

I'm not the biggest fan of Dane either. Honestly, this album sounds like the last few they've done, but I need to hear it a few more times. The formula hasn't changed much. Loomis is a monster but like you said pm74 they've never fully been able to grab my attention. For my money, DHIDW is their masterpiece.

 

[SoundMaster]

Nevermore's always been one of those bands that just never quite grabbed me. Loomis is a brilliant player, top notch production, great musicianship but like A7X and Disturbed, they just never put all the pieces together in the right way, IMO.

Matt Smith from Theocracy did his own vocals for The Obsidian Conspiracy, and for my money, it blows the Dane version outta the water:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUEpR1lJIEk

Thanks for sharing that link.
Matt's vocals are fine by any measure but don't reallly bring anything unique to the table. I'm far from a Nevermore fanboy (I'm the first to inject reality into conversations that hype the overrated Godless Endeavor release), but have to admit that Dane's vocals (his current vox; not his Sanctuary vocals) are stunning! He's got a 'flavor' that few others - if any - possess.
He excells when singing "mellower" tunes. Of course, this is simply one opinion!

 

[poundingmetal74]

but have to admit that Dane's vocals (his current vox; not his Sanctuary vocals) are stunning! He's got a 'flavor' that few others - if any - possess.

I've heard that argument from others and I've listened to quite a bit of Nevermore, but I just don't hear that "flavor" other people speak about. I feel quite the opposite about each version of the song. Dane just sings a normal mid range and follows the song. Matt really sings "over" the music (by way of analogy Tony Iommi said of Ozzy and Dio: think of Dane as Ozzy [following the guitar] and Smith as Dio [working WITH the guitar] - that's not to say Dane is a shitty singer however).

Listen to the chorus of each song (around 1:35). The harmonics on the guitar, Matt uses them to his advantage when creating the harmonies. Dane's melody completely ignores them and the harmonics are just sort of "there".

I might just be too set in my ways, but I find Dane's Nevermore vocals just don't bring much to the table in terms of ability and creating a strong melody. To each his own I suppose.

 

[TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER]

Their best since DHIADW but that's not saying much. Otherwise, yeah DNB is the one to have.

 

[ElectricWiz]

I think of Nevermore as one of those few bands who tops each previous release....when the new one comes out. For me their masterpiece was actually the last one. However, the new one is brilliant, and is much more like Dead heart than anything else of theirs. I'm still on the fence for where it stands in their career...but I think it's fantastic. I'm a huge fan though, and rank all of the albums high.
It's definitely a contender for album of the year for my money. But the year is shaping up pretty damned well, and the competition is stiff - Triptykon, Vanden Plas, what looks to be a very cool record by Accept, and bunch of stuff I'm forgetting...

 

[mdmatt4ever]

i love this album and i agree this is probably their best release

 

[wdiv]

I'm way behind on 2010 releases... Have only heard samples of this album, but sounds good. I need to go get it.

 

[thespectralsorrows]

I have every Nevermore release except the new one which I'll get soon. This song with Matt Smith is the 1st I've heard from the new album. Musically it definitely sounds like Nevermore and maybe a bit like Into Eternity, doesn't sound rehashed or like they are trying to be too heavy.

So, what is the deal with Matt Smith or other vocalists singing these songs? Did he sing the whole album and will it be released?
I am a Warrell Dane fan, enjoyed his solo CD too.

On a side note, I'm not sure why this post was started in Old School 80's forum, but glad I found it.

 

[poundingmetal74]

So, what is the deal with Matt Smith or other vocalists singing these songs? Did he sing the whole album and will it be released?

It was a karaoke track released by Nevermore in the weeks building up to the album's release for fans to record their own versions of the song. The winner gets to sing their version on stage with Nevermore in the future. Matt's was ranked #2 in the contest.

 

[thespectralsorrows]

It was a karaoke track released by Nevermore in the weeks building up to the album's release for fans to record their own versions of the song. The winner gets to sing their version on stage with Nevermore in the future. Matt's was ranked #2 in the contest.

Can you post a link to the list, who was #1?

 

[poundingmetal74]

I don't know if such a list exists. I just read Matt Smith's was the runner-up. I've heard a couple of the other versions and a few were quite good too. I've not heard the winner's version.

 

[TheInsane]

I was dissapointed in the new album. I for loved "this godless endeavour" and hold a couple of their other albums in very high esteem as well. The new one does mostly sound like a rehash to me. Nothing is new at all and the formula begins to sound tired.

That being said it isnt bad it just cant keep my interest up since Id rather listen to something they did before this one that did feel fresh when it was released.

Im also baffeled at he order of the songs. They actually start the record with the two worst tracks which gives the record a bad feel overall for me and some of the gems like "And the maiden spoke" might even suffer a little from it.

 

[sixxswine]

I downloaded a review copy a month ago, haven't listened to it yet. I was a huge fan a few years ago. Not so much amymore. I saw Warrel a couple months ago live and he couldn't stop talking about the new album. I guess I should be excited. I still have to give the new Vanden Plas a few more spins before I get to this one...

 

[TheInsane]

Nevermore's always been one of those bands that just never quite grabbed me. Loomis is a brilliant player, top notch production, great musicianship but like A7X and Disturbed, they just never put all the pieces together in the right way, IMO.

Matt Smith from Theocracy did his own vocals for The Obsidian Conspiracy, and for my money, it blows the Dane version outta the water:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUEpR1lJIEk

THanks for the link. I do like Dane but found his work to be lacking in places on the new record. Its cool to hear how much a difference a different vocalist would bring to Nevermore.

I do however think that this version lacks in originality. To me it sounds a little bit to much like any power metal out there in regards to vocal lines and general style.

Still very cool to hear this different version. Are there more vocalists who did this?

Edit: Found this:



I think this is the best version I heard so far. He's obviously very influenced by Dane but does a better work with the vocal lines than him even if the performance is somewhat lacking.

 

[thespectralsorrows]

THanks for the link. I do like Dane but found his work to be lacking in places on the new record. Its cool to hear how much a difference a different vocalist would bring to Nevermore.

I do however think that this version lacks in originality. To me it sounds a little bit to much like any power metal out there in regards to vocal lines and general style.

Still very cool to hear this different version. Are there more vocalists who did this?

Edit: Found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aIFJa7rUas

I think this is the best version I heard so far. He's obviously very influenced by Dane but does a better work with the vocal lines than him even if the performance is somewhat lacking.

Hmm, the music is awesome, the vocals in this youtube version is weak and not mixed right, it keeps knocking up against Dane's vocals, unless this guy recorded 2 vocal tracks. Whatever the case, it doesn't touch Smith's version.

 

[TheInsane]

Hmm, the music is awesome, the vocals in this youtube version is weak and not mixed right, it keeps knocking up against Dane's vocals, unless this guy recorded 2 vocal tracks. Whatever the case, it doesn't touch Smith's version.

Of course he double tracked himself (or more). As I said, the performance is lacking but his ideas for melodies I think are superior to whats on the actual album. I wouldnt want this guy o actually sing on the album though.

 

[PlasmaShock]

Musically, it's a very, very solid album.

However, the production really annoys me. It sounds exactly like This Godless Endeavor. Not to mention it was mastered terribly. Can't even crank it up on a good system without hearing clipping.

 

[poundingmetal74]

However, the production really annoys me. It sounds exactly like This Godless Endeavor. Not to mention it was mastered terribly. Can't even crank it up on a good system without hearing clipping.

You can thank the music industry for that one. Actually the master isn't that loud. I've seen records released in the last year or two just completely flatlined. This actually has some dynamics to it and it never once clips at zero.

I just cranked it on my system and it sounds fine. If you wanna hear a distorted disc, check out Death Magnetic or the latest Firewind and Cage discs.