Review by Ben for Obsidian Sea - Pathos (2022)

It took me a long time to appreciate the early to mid 80s era of doom metal. In fact, if it wasn't for the Metal Academy podcast, I may never have properly listened to the likes of Trouble, Saint Vitus, Witchfinder General and Pentagram. Even with this only recently developed appreciation, I have to admit that I tend to like my doom metal to be much darker and heavier than this classic heavy metal influenced era contained, and it's for this reason that Obsidian Sea have been a bit of a struggle for me. Sure, there's doom metal here, but there's also a very light atmosphere, and a heavy metal /progressive rock approach that takes it out of my comfort zone. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Warlord on occasion, particularly the track Mythos. Heck, a cowbell pops up from time to time, which really tells you all you need to know. In the end I guess I just don't get a tremendous amount out of it, despite not finding anything much to complain about, so I'll simply call this album mildly enjoyable but not particularly for me.

2022 RANKING (68 releases so far)

59. Saidan - Onryō II: Her Spirit Eternal - 3 stars

60. Obsidian Sea - Pathos - 3 stars

61. Stangarigel - Na Severe Srdca - 2.5 stars

2022 DOOM RANKING (19 releases so far)

16. Temple of Void - Summoning the Slayer - 3 stars

17. Obsidian Sea - Pathos - 3 stars

18. Mizmor - Wit's End - 2.5 stars