Requiem For Oblivion comes from the complex mind of Steve Jacobson. You don’t need to hear more than a few seconds to know what a master of the metal scene he is. Instead of pandering to the listeners, his music reasons with reason. Rooting from real life experiences, his commentary is on the absurdities that surround society. Don’t let the system tread over you. This is the latest single, The Glares. 

A foreboding sense of doom is felt as soon as this track starts. Like any black/doom metal-the mastery lies in the execution. Steve’s vocals come with a resounding crash, harnessing energies worth a thousand lives. The verse riff is one of the most brutal I’ve heard in the independent metal scene, and it is capitalized on. It crashes and pierces through the conformity, aching for answers and reason.

Requiem For Oblivion shifts between a demonic choir sound to the gutturals that question the fabric of nature itself. You get to soak in the instrumentals in pockets as well, as the transitions are something you’ll headbang through. Tones balanced, you hear each sound as a character with its own storyline. The blast beats pummel through with the instrumental sections, with some thematic instrumental parts. The riff structure ensures a groove is maintained, rather than guitar screeching, which is where Steve’s experience and attention to detail comes in. 

From American Satan to 12 Strong, I can see this scene dispel the aggression while accentuating the frame. It has been phrased and composed really well, tipping its cap to some intense black metal acts-even Candlemass in some places. Listen to some singles like Chaotic Earth, Quiet Mind & Thinking of Death to see some beautifully executed black metal. Devil horns up, let the speakers fly!