Arguably Pennsylvania’s steel best-kept secret, Crobot has been hammering throughout the panorama of soiled arduous rock, sprinkled with groove-heavy riffs and psychedelic undertones for fairly a couple of years now – 13 to be actual. Their music harks again to the period when rock, from the early ’70s to the ’90s, was a business pressure that would rival the dominant pop traits of the time, typically flirting at occasions with a extra metallic favor.
Nevertheless, of their 5th studio album Obsidian, these tendencies grow to be a lot bolder and predominant, blurring the strains between their fuzz-driven trademark sound and high-octane steel, courtesy of the crunchy and doom-laden guitarwork and the extraordinary and dynamic crooning of frontman Brandon Yeagley.
Obsidian strikes a compelling stability between depth and accessibility, delivering its commanding message throughout 11 tight, punchy tracks, with a number of of them sporting a grunge-infused vibe in the perfect vein of Alice In Chains or Soundgarden‘s most metallic choices, with out dropping their very own identification.
From the opening salvo, the explosive title observe “Obsidian,” Crobot wastes no time in laying down heavy grooves, however the goal right here isn’t just about packing a punch but additionally about crafting a wealthy, immersive ambiance that hat pulls the listener into their sonic universe. There’s extra to the album than sheer pressure: the stoner-rock-loaded manufacturing, the unpredictable keyboard gildings, and Yeagley‘s flamboyant wails all work in unison to conjure an virtually space-opera vibe exuding a playful mystique.
It is arduous to choose a favourite reduce, as Obsidian flows seamlessly, interchanging its musical panorama with the identical precision because the ache strokes of a seasoned painter, which could really feel erratic but are fully purposeful. Sludgy and heavy moments, just like the Black Sabbath-tinged min-epic “Come Down,” – the place the band sounds extra menacing and darker than ever earlier than – are interspersed with guitar-driven, groove-heavy anthems like “Disappear” and the High On Fire-inspired “Historical Druid Crowd.”
Pummeling fast-paced juggernauts like “Nothing” and “Steel” harken again to their most acquainted sound, accentuating earworm choruses courtesy of Yeagley almost-theatrical vocals as he wails “I’m steel, driving by means of the evening with the satan, signed a contract in blood to reside without end, I’m METAL!”… it hardly will get extra self-explanatory.
A few standout moments come from the hand of “Head Of The Beast”, a reduce that dives headfirst into full-blown steel territory with aplomb and certainty, channeling the eerie, doom-loaded aura of Black Sabbath‘s early albums – albeit with a way more fashionable sound – and the slower-paced bluesy “The Flood”, which at occasions exudes Electric Wizard influences.
All through all of it, Yeagley‘s vibrant vocal vary is entrance and heart, although Bishop‘s distinctive riffs and scorching solos, and the thunderous rhythm part — anchored by drummer Dan Ryan and bassist Pat Seals — are equally important in crafting the album’s towering sound.
Crobot has at all times operated on a unique wavelength from their friends, unafraid to push boundaries, and Obsidian is an album that would simply win over even probably the most die-hard heavy steel purists. “Obsidian is nearly a rebirth of our profession,” Yeagley acknowledged, however I would go so far as to say that it feels extra like their best hour, reaching the heights they’ve been aiming for in the course of the previous decade. The sheer energy and power of Bishop‘s blistering guitar work, mixed with Yeagley‘s intricate vocals and the album’s otherworldly and adventurous storytelling, locations Obsidian firmly among the many finest releases of 2024.
