I can’t remember the last time I was stoked about a new metal band coming out of Germany. Usually I’ll get an email from a German band saying, “Hey, check us out! We’re German (insert metal genre here)!” Of course, I’ll usually listen to their music because I’m a sucker, but my first impression is always the same: they sound like the villains from the Big Lebowski decided to start a mediocre metal band.

Obscura obviously deserve some recognition as a new global death metal band. Their style is a blend of new and old – almost what a modern Death might sound like today. Even some of their guitar riffs project a Death and Cynic vibe, and the fret-less bass most certainly adds to the feeling. For some reason, reverting to some tried and true techniques make them stand-out from the modern death metal “core” scene.

Cosmogenesis gets a 9/10 for Obscura’s great use of speed, variety and awesome guitar riffs that are rooted in classic death metal. The album is available for purchase and is streaming right now from their website. Obscura is on tour right now and will be in San Francisco on March 7th.