Via Obscura

Another day, another great metal band from Greece. This time we are talking about black metal again. Feeble are a pretty newish band having been formed not too long ago. While the outfit as such is quite young at least two of the three members have a lot of experience as they are part of several other act like e.g. Inhibitions, another great black metal outfit from Greece. Compared to this one Feeble also have their roots in traditional black metal, but spice things with some symphonic elements and kind of a thrash vibe to their sound. I am not familiar with their debut full length “Forbidden Ritual” which has just been released in 2019, but the successor titled “Via Obscura” is a neat and captivating little gem for fans of the genre.

There is not much fecking around here. There is no intro or slow start etc., just hitting the start button and off we go. Feeble are flying straight into the opening track “Arrival”, being a good indication of what to expect over the next 32 minutes. Wasting no time, the riffs attack at full throttle speed, going straight for the listener’s throat. The main chords burn and swirl with evil intent, and become sinister and savagely delirious, bleak, ominous and ultimately dismal.

Of course there is not much to be found what has not been done in a similar way before. What this album may lack in musical innovation it more than makes up for in sheer, bloody-minded intensity and evil yet euphoric melody, all of which makes this band more than capable of leaving their mark. “Via Obscura” is an unpretentious, and in many ways uncomplicated, listen, with a heavy focus on high-voltage riffs, catchy chords and epic harmonies, all designed to get your blood pumping and your body moving to the groovy beat.

The rhythm and guitar lines are constantly shifting and changing, with actual, proper (often thrashy) riffs finding their way to the surface amongst the assault, coupled with tasteful leads that add a sense of traditional second wave melodies to the whole affair. The drumming is also top, being fast and ferocious yet following the main patterns in a way that things never get overly chaotic. Some symphonic samples are used to give additional depth to the whole affair. The vocals are pretty standard black metal stuff, but done in perfect fashion.

The production is great, giving the record a strong and transparent yet not too clean and sterile sound. Some purists might find the sound a bit too modern and synthetic, but in my opinion this just fits to the overall picture. The artwork is also nice, very traditional and done for fans of the genre. Overall Feeble are another highly enjoyable band from Greece and prove again how strong the metal scene in this wonderful country is.