From Bandcamp, "OBSIDIOUS are leading the charge for the modern evolution of Progressive and Technical Metal with their debut album, "Iconic." OBSIDIOUS, however, are a different creature entirely. "Iconic" is technical but not officious, and the album breathes intensity but expands upon it with mellifluent dexterity. With OBSIDIOUS, there's always a hook: "Iconic" may build upon a prestigious foundation but its vision isn't restricted to its tenets." The album has ten songs.

"Under Black Skies" is the first. The opening notes are indeed highly technical in nature, but not without some melody. The drums roll forward like a machine gun in a battle, and the vocals vary from ultra-harsh to cleans, and the chorus is full of harmonies. The second half of the song is an unabashed display of musicianship that will leave your jaw on the floor. "Sense of Lust" is a slower and darker offering, where the focus is rightly on developing a harrowing and evil sound. The title track is a lively whirl through razor sharped wire with pitfalls at every turn. Clean vocals are riddled with harsh vocals in an angry sound. There is a lot going here that demands your attention, the unlike a lot of Technical Metal, they focus on melodies amidst the dissonant sounds.

"Bound by Fire" has some fantastic lead guitar work to go along with the desolate landscape littered with traps and hidden holes that lead to a fiery death. Through four songs now, the closest way I can describe this band is to note their NE OBLIVICARIS influence, though the songs are more tightly packed. "I Am" begins with thunderous strikes that sound like a storm on the horizon. This darker offering is as ominous as it is beautiful. The heavy tones are absolutely punishing but the song takes time to breathe. "Delusion" begins with charming tones that descend into madness. Brutal, discordant sounds transition to wondrous melodies and back and forth several times. The lead guitar section really branches out and opens up brightly into new territory. "Nowhere" is a rough and heavy jaunt with striking bass notes that dance in and around the main riff. The band doesn't miss a beat or even the smidgeon of an accent while the song passes with appeal.

"Lake of Afterlife" closes the album, with a furious but melodic sound. The harsh elements come through like a monster stomping through your room in the dark, and the melodic ones shield you from him getting to you. In conclusion, OBSIDIOUS are indeed a new breed of Technical and Progressive Metal, that much is for sure. Many Technical Metal bands make the mistake of displaying their tenacious musicianship at the expense of melody. OBSIDIOUS prove however that both of these somewhat competing elements can not only be in the same room together, but can in fact dance in a heated and sultry embrace.