The last new album I heard by Dutch death progenitors Pestilence was their 2009 comeback ‘Resurrection Macabre’. While a cool effort, it came nowhere near to the quality of the band’s early releases. On top of this material aspect, there was also the matter of Patrick Mameli’s vocals which sounded a little odd and overbearing in the mix. By the time of ‘Doctrine’ in 2011, a combination of empty wallet and poor reviews were enough for this one to pass me by. And in fact, it wasn’t until Dave Hayley’s involvement was announced in the run-up to ‘Obsideo’ that my curiosity and interest in Pestilence became reignited. It’s been a bit of a wait to hear the result of the Psycroptic man’s union with Patricks Mameli and Uterwijk but one which is justified by what we have here.
A heartbeat, gasps and beeping scanner occupy the first seconds until an inevitable flatline signals death in every sense of the word. Blast-beats, cascades of double bass, brutal riffs and Mameli’s gasped vocals (which are much better all round) hammer forth. There’s a real rough edge to the guitars, with all manner of technical/menacing riffs spewing out, not to mention some crushing solo work. One very obvious fact from the opening (title) track is the enabling effect that Hayley’s incredible talent has had on the two core members of Pestilence. Although to some extent expected, this is jaw-dropping; feral like ‘Consuming Impulse’, with the harsh technicality of ‘Testimony of the Ancients’. The warped, stuttering start of ‘Displaced’ furthers this analogy, as does the driving chaos which characterises the rest of the track. Well, there’s also the matter of an atmospheric keyboard section which contrasts with those sick guitar tones to really recall the magnificence of old.
Following the off-kilter riffs of ‘Aura Negative’ we get ‘NecroMorph’, whose monstrous sound evokes the sense of a gigantic cosmic centipede or some such abomination. By the time of ‘Distress’ on my first listen, it also struck me that Dave Hayley’s snare sound is quite like that of Hate Eternal’s ‘King of All Kings’, just to give an indication of the level of punishment on offer. Combined with riffs which are like hooks propelled into your flesh by the Cenobites, this and next track ‘Soulrot’ give the impression that when you pull your headphones out, chunks of deconstructed brain matter are sure to ooze out with them. Come the sliding main riff of ‘Saturation’ and intergalactic weirdness of ‘Transition’, and the pace does ease up slightly. But only slightly. Closing track ‘Superconscious’ again finds that balance of sophistication and blunt-force trauma before fading out in cataclysm… A fitting end to our journey from the mortal coil to beyond.
Although my expectations were admittedly high for ‘Obsideo’, it has still very much taken me by surprise. While the new drummer’s introduction was bound to have a positive effect, he seems to have fully rejuvenated the two main men of Pestilence. ‘Obsideo’ is absorbing and (as acknowledged throughout) reminiscent of the band’s apex releases. A winner all round then, and yet another spectacular 2013 effort from one of the genre’s pioneers.
(9/10 Jamie)
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