I'm not sure what it is with metalcore bands. I usually enjoy the first couple listens, but end up shelving the album out of boredom. It just seems like they all start sounding the same. Same vocal stylings, same riffs, same everything. When I heard that Oblivion was a metalcore band from Sweden, I was hoping that maybe someone from Europe had a way to grab my attention and hold it. The picture of an acoustic guitar engulfed in flames on the back cover intrigued me for sure, but could this Living Sacrifice-influenced band avoid the shelving process? Well, yes and no. At times I found myself wondering what was for dinner that night, but at times I was on the edge of my seat. The songs that caught my attention the most were "Renewal of Our Minds" and "How Could You." Between tracks, excellent keyboard fills and haunting background vocals add terrific depth and atmosphere to a couple of very brutal tunes. And lyrically, "How Could You" is one of the standouts, as the band takes the offensive against a "man" who rapes a little girl. Screams of: "WHY? How could you?!" make you want to jump up and scream along with them. Oblivion has jumped to the top half of the ever-growing metalcore heap.
Editors' ratings - Doug 3.5/5, Jason 2.5/5
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestFrom Sweden comes Oblivion with Renewal as their debut release. The band consists of guitarist Jimmie Isacsson, bassist Johan Isacsson, drummer Haakon Sjoequist and singer Samuel Emtlind. On Renewal they are assisted by former Oblivion guitarist Bjoern Isaksson, singer Ulf Blomberg and Narnia keyboardist Martin Claesson who adds the atmospheric touches to the album. It's the use of keyboards that…Similar sounding releases
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