Album Review: Oblivion Beach – Cold River Spell (Schwarzdorn Production)

Oblivion Beach were built on the frozen ashes of Finnish metal act Vuolla in 2018. The band stands as a five-piece unit that calls upon the forces of heavy riffs and sirens of melancholy.

The band’s debut album “Cold River Spell” will be released by Schwarzdorn Production on the 16th of October 2020. Inspired by the cold black winter of Northern Finland and the starry window to the sky.

The cold Finnish air does blow from Oblivion Beach’s debut. From the forlorn vocals to the darkness-tinged rhythm and eerie melodies. By the end of this 8-track album, there might be a few frost-bitten ears as well as a few sore necks. Be under no illusions, this is a crushingly heavy release with the vocals serving as more of an exclamation point rather than lighting the load.

Oblivion Beach goal of leaving the listener shivering in the cold, lost and alone in the dark storm, hearing siren voices on the wind as a prelude to hope, is very effective.

That being said, it perhaps lacks a killer edge or one particular track that stands out above the rest. It’s has got a ton of class though and the likes of Rider, Frozen Throne and Bind Myself are highlights.

It’s enjoyable. It’s not world-changing but not everything has to be especially from such a new band. This is the foundations and they’re strong enough to be built on.

Oblivion Beach – Cold River Spell Full Track Listing:

1. Faces Nameless
2. Elektrik Forest
3. Rider
4. The Dive
5. Frozen Throne
6. No Candidate
7. Teachings Outside the Garden
8. Bind Myself

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram