This is the debut album from US death metallers Obsolete.
Obsolete play a technical mix of death metal with thrash elements. This is then peppered progressive, dissonant, and avant-garde influences to produce a 37-minute album that exceeds expectations. Imagine a combination of Death and Atheist, only with more progressive/technical thrash, and you’ll have a good idea of the wonders that await you on Animate//Isolate.
The songs are dynamic and full of energy, and Obsolete know what to do with their raw talent in order to create a quality collection of metal tracks. With music that’s extremely well-written and presented, this is an album that marries up instant appeal with long term replayability. It’s a joy to listen to.
The molten guitars in Obsolete’s music are fast and savage, but never lose control. The savagery comes from the way that the guitarists, (one of whom is in Sunless), absolutely attack their instruments, punishing and pushing sadistically to get every last riff out of them they possibly can. This is done in a way that’s considered and methodical, allowing the furious energy that’s being unleashed to be channelled into effective song structures and memorable guitar parts.
It’s not only the guitars that are noteworthy here. All of the instruments are nuanced, creative, and layered with inventive ways to rip, tear, and savage. Again, all in a controlled way that services the needs of the songs. No matter the instrument you’re focusing on at any given time, there’s always something to take note of. When combined, the whole is even greater than the sum, and the tracks on Animate//Isolate keep giving and giving and giving.
Animate//Isolate is a hugely impressive and enjoyable album. Despite the obvious influences, this is anything but derivative; Obsolete’s music is a creative and dynamic rendering of death/thrash metal, and Animate//Isolate is a wild success.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 