Obscura is the third album by Gorguts. It is recognized as one of metal's most technical and complex albums, consisting of many experimental and dissonant melodies, and strange rhythms.
War on Music reissued the album on vinyl in April 2012.[1]
History
Following release in 1993 of their second full-length The Erosion of Sanity, the band did a European tour.[2] The band's return coincided with the decline of death metal's popularity, and they were subsequently dropped from the Roadrunner roster.[3] Following their departure from the label, they "started writing material for Obscura".[2] Gorguts also lost both their drummer and guitarist, who simply left the band. They were replaced by 'Purulence' guitarist Steeve Hurdle and 'Psychic Throb' bassist Steve Cloutier.[4]
Critical reception
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William York of Allmusic categorized Obscura as "one of the most challenging, difficult albums ever released within the metal genre" and "a work of great depth and vision".[5]
Track listing
All lyrics written by Luc Lemay, Steeve Hurdle.
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| 1. |
"Obscura" | Hurdle, Lemay |
4:04 |
| 2. |
"Earthly Love" | Hurdle, Lemay, Cloutier |
4:04 |
| 3. |
"The Carnal State" | Cloutier, Hurdle |
3:08 |
| 4. |
"Nostalgia" | Cloutier, Hurdle |
6:10 |
| 5. |
"The Art of Sombre Ecstasy" | Cloutier, Lemay |
4:20 |
| 6. |
"Clouded" | Hurdle |
9:32 |
| 7. |
"Subtle Body" | Cloutier, Hurdle, Lemay |
3:23 |
| 8. |
"Rapturous Grief" | Cloutier, Hurdle, Lemay |
5:27 |
| 9. |
"La Vie Est Prelude... (La Morte Orgasme)" | Cloutier, Hurdle, Lemay |
3:28 |
| 10. |
"Illuminatus" | Cloutier, Hurdle, Lemay |
6:15 |
| 11. |
"Faceless Ones" | Cloutier, Hurdle |
3:50 |
| 12. |
"Sweet Silence" (instrumental) | Cloutier, Hurdle, Lemay |
6:45 |
Total length: |
60:25 |
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Personnel
- Gorguts – producer
- Luc Lemay – guitar, artistic direction, vocals, viola, artwork
- Steeve Hurdle – guitar, vocals, concept idealisation, artistic direction, songs and album title
- Steve Cloutier – bass guitar
- Patrick Robert – drums
- Pierre Rémillard – producer, engineer
- Sylvain Brisebois – master
- Joel Beaupré – photography
- Alain Cloutier – artwork
References
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- Steve MacDonald
- Stéphane Provencher
- Steeve Hurdle
- Sylvian Marcoux
- Daniel Mongrain
- Éric Giguère
- Patrick Robert
- Steve Cloutier
| | | Demos |
- ...And Then Comes Lividity
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| | Studio albums | |
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| | Compilations | |
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| | Live albums | |
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| | Related articles | |
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