Retribution

Before the career of the German Obscura gained momentum, and Steffen Kummerer and the rest of his (variable) friends gained a reputation as one of the most interesting groups among progressive/technical death metal influenced by Muhammed Suiçmez style, at the very beginning they could make an impression...as an ordinary band! The earliest period of this group (i.e. from the demo to their debut) is quite not spectacular story. Namely, one that is organized and refined to a much lesser extent than their next albums.

Lest there be any understatements, "Retribution" itself revealed a considerable potential of this group. At this period, Steffen and the company simply lacked a clear direction with their music. On the one hand, it can be heard that the Germans would like to shock with the progression a la late Death and ultra-precise technique in the Necrophagist style, on the other hand, they would like to use classic death metal structures similar to something like a gateaway-ish Morbid Angel (especially if you listen to guitars at their slow fragments).

Unfortunately, due to the lack of sensible vision to merge these inspirations into one, the influences from the above-mentioned seem to be forced in for the most part. So next to fast galloping/blasting, vocals in the Schuldiner type (though occasional clean singing is also quite successful) and morbidish heaviness, there are also motifs that do not match the climate and unnecessarily smooth the whole cd (such as in "Hymn To A Nocturnal Visitor", "Exit Life" or "Sentiment"). Of course, there are also songs in which these "jumps" do not happen, and all these elements arise naturally ("None Shall Be Spared", "Hate Anthem", "Alone" or "Nothing"), although again, there is not so much of it that the previous songs could be considered by single incidents. The end of the album also seems to be average. Because although the cover of Death ("Lack Of Comprehension") is performed correctly, it adds absolutely nothing to the album (together with the silence in - sic! - "Sweet Silence"). And finally I complain about the production and mixes, which make the drums sound very empty and the bass is lost under the guitars. The first of these element would be much better served by a clearer sound, the second...by volume up.

So you can hear that "Retribution" is only a foretaste of the ingenuity of Steffen Kummerer's band. At the period of their debut, their technical and progressive playing were taking shape and required a lot of improvement to compare it to the bigger names which inspired the Germans. These things have already started working on their next albums.

Originally on: https://subiektywnymetal.blogspot.com/2022/05/obscura-retribution-2006.html