Release Date March 27th, 2026
Format CD/Digital
Genre Melodic Death Metal
Country Finland
Obscure Fate started in 2008 in Paltamo, Finland, as a solo project for guitarist Kaleva Kovalainen. Soon after, drummer Jari Keränen and bassist Petri Möttönen joined the ranks, turning the project into an actual band. Guitarist Joni Moisanen and vocalist Tapio Möttönen stepped into the fray to complete the early lineup. Bassist Antti Möttönen swapped in for Petri Möttönen in 2019. Following an EP release and a notoriously dragged-out studio process, they finally pushed their debut album "Shades Of A Dying World" across the finish line.
These guys play melodic death metal and toss heavy metal and thrash metal influences into the mix. "Shades Of A Dying World" drops via Inverse Records and delivers mid-paced stomping and fast riffing straight from the frozen north. They keep the aggression steady, backing it up with harsh vocals that get straight to the point. Tapio Möttönen delivers his lines with enough rasp and volume to match the intensity of the riffs.
The guitars handled by Kaleva Kovalainen and Joni Moisanen drive the whole machine forward. They deliver plenty of melodic hooks and fast leads, specifically on tracks like "Valhalla" and "Spectral Exile". The rhythm section of Jari Keränen and Antti Möttönen keeps a sturdy foundation, driving the tempos up when needed and dropping into heavy grooves when the song calls for a slowdown. They lock in together and pound through the tracklist.
With Tero "TeeCee" Kinnunen on the mixing board and Mika Jussila mastering the tracks, the audio comes through loud and precise. You can hear everything going on in the mix. The album drags slightly in the back half, and some of the transitions between fast and slow sections get predictable. Regardless, "Shades Of A Dying World" packs enough heavy riffs and catchy melodies to keep your head banging. Obscure Fate delivered a good debut full-length.
Score: 7.0
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