EP Review: Oblivium Regnum – Zrádce (Self Released)

Melodic heavy/death metal band Oblivium Regnum, made up of members of the now defunct band, Depressive Reality, have released their EP, Zrádce. Drawing from the historical period of the reign of the Přemyslid dynasty, probably the most famous period of Czech history.

Fitting uncomfortably in the melodic death metal genre, simply because they do genre-bend, Oblivium Regnum provide a temperamental and emphatic example of heavy music. One that drips with historical detail, features a bevy of guests, and showcases a band with an immense level of talent.

After a particularly epic intro, provided by the church choir Cantabundus, the intensity arrives with the crashing instrumentation and garish vocals of Břetislav a Jitka. A track that swoops and soars with gut-churning impact as The Rays of the Sun’s Daniela, Dysangelium’s Nekro, and Fleshless’ Michal Filipi (what a guitar solo!) add layers to a gargantuan opener.

Take a breath, it doesn’t get much bigger than that, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the EP is found lacking.

First, there is the title track. A beastly effort with mood-altering doomy tones and an underlying death heavy darkness to the whole thing. It also features guest vocals from Nekro and another stunning guitar, this time from ex-Fleshless, Garbage Disposal’s Frank Šerák.

Then there is Homburg, a faster and more frenetic example of classic death blended with Oblivium Regnum’s clever melodically-charged twists and turns. Guess who has another guitar solo here? It’s only Frank Šerák again!

Finally, it’s Poslední bitva, arguably the EP’s most melodic sounding and emotive effort. Aided by the inclusion of keyboards via ex-In the Shadows and Your Delusion’s Libor Čihák. That being said, this is a track that has a really old-school feel and infuses doom in deeply.

There’s a lot of reasons to be impressed with Zrádce but none more so than the amount of variety on show. Which is very impressive when you consider it’s only 4 tracks long.

Oblivium Regnum – Zrádce Track Listing:

1. Břetislav a Jitka
2. Zrádce
3. Homburg
4. Poslední bitva

Links

Facebook | Bandzone