It always seems to be at the start of every new year that I am bombarded with material from the previous year that is simply peak. An odd phenomenon that I really need to do some research into for verification, it's something that January is always good for no matter what but also frustrating at the same time. Sometimes, I'm presented with works that absolutely should have been considered amongst 2023's best, but a sad reality is often what I'm met with. When it was brought to my attention that I missed out on the new Obsidian Tide record months ago, I felt foolish, but it wasn't until I became lost in the immense, splendorous grandeur of "The Grand Crescendo" did I realize what I and many others missed out on.
For all intents and purposes, I'm keen on calling this record one of the records that is severely underrated for every given reason. Obsidian Tide already proved itself to be a name to be watched with its previous record from four years ago, but upon falling into this new opus does one really begin to understand the transformation that the act has undergone to become a true spectacle of progressive metal that I would wholeheartedly suggest to anyone who wants to find themselves immersed in a progressive work that is always pushing its own boundaries. As beautiful as it is intense, "The Grand Crescendo" leaves nothing on the table with every single one of these seven expansive tracks across the whole of the 62-minute runtime that is constantly changing form with loads of different flavors, visages, and emotions making their appearance to ensure Obsidian Tide puts forth much of their talent on full display without compromise. "The Grand Crescendo" leaves nothing to chance whether it takes care in its moments of intensity or allows the spirits to flow freely and beautifully to make the record as a whole feel just as dynamic as it does organic with naught able to stave off the levels of intoxication that always run at a high. Where many in progressive metal seek to craft wild experiences that they can never tie together, it's already with their second full-length album that Obsidian Tide proves itself to be a name that is not to be denied whenever it comes down to passion, talent, and the capacity to execute wondrously.
At every given turn, Obsidian Tide dominates and astounds. This is a work that demanded to be hailed when it came out as one of the more compelling and complete works of magnificence in all of progressive metal for 2023, and I can only hope that time will treat this record well. Plenty of twists and turns to be had within its vast depths, "The Grand Crescendo" is proof more than anything else to the wonder going on within Obsidian Tide.
LISTEN to "The Grand Crescendo" on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Obsidian Tide on Facebook here.
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