obZen
by Meshuggah
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. The A.V. Club
    100
    The result challenges brain and body, sure (just try headbanging to obZen), but it also dares any other metal band to write a more ferocious album.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    90
    obZen is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging record, and is without question an early contender for metal Album of the Year.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    This is sheer attack metal, played by a band that has run from simplicity to excess and incorporated them both into a record that is on a level with anything else they've done, even if not all the elements marry perfectly yet. Just get it.
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    They're still crisp and cold--kind of like the Terminator--but somehow unlike Ahnuld, it's possible to hear a human heart beating within the steel. [May 2008, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Prefix Magazine
    80
    So while there’s very little that’s surprising about obZen, the album finds Meshuggah’s strengths filtered through tighter song structures and more approachable grooves than we’ve heard from them in a long time.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 72
  3. Negative: 3 out of 72
  1. JoeG.
    Mar 19, 2008
    8
    This album is amazing. It seems Meshuggah has combined the breakneck speed of chaosphere with the heaviness of Nothing. The only factor in This album is amazing. It seems Meshuggah has combined the breakneck speed of chaosphere with the heaviness of Nothing. The only factor in this Album I don't like is Meshuggah don't give up on their ferocious attack throughout the whole album, I would like to breath a little... god damn!… Full Review »
  2. ZzZ85
    Mar 31, 2022
    10
    Lets all take a moment and laugh of ble ders review. How can you be such a bad reviewer? Jesus christ
  3. rapha1985
    Feb 16, 2022
    10
    Meshuggah never disappoints, but Obzen is not only a band doing what they know, it is a band that evolves while doing their thing, this albumMeshuggah never disappoints, but Obzen is not only a band doing what they know, it is a band that evolves while doing their thing, this album maybe still is the pinnacle of their music and rhythmic experimentation. I dare say that there is no filler song on this album.
    Combustion is amazing, a almost thrash metal song with Meshuggah flair in a way like and unlike their songs from their first album.
    Electric Red is more methodical and slow like their more recent works.
    Bleed is a classic, but it is a odd song, the wall of song that is Bleed just have no parallel even in Meshuggah's work, it is a masterpiece, maybe not for everyone, but this is Meshuggah we are talking about...
    Lethargica is another very strong song and by here we kind getting this album and its textures and sounds.
    Obzen is a thunderous songs that mix old Meshuggah ideas with this album more jazzy and groovy aproach, but in a more developed way tha Electric Red, and as with the other songs of this album, it ends in an apoteotic way.
    This Spiteful Snake is another amazing song that get even better after the breakdown in the middle.
    Pineal Gland Optics is another song that start with full force, slow down in the middle, then end with a hypnotic riff.
    Pravus is another punch in the face and a wall of sound, different from Bleed, but still as brutal and monolithic as Bleed.
    Dancers to a Discordant System is maybe the greatest Meshuggah song, here they really did made Jazz Metal, it is a music with 8 riffs and as many time changes in a compelling and amazing song, while some of the bands music can be off putting because the polyrythms and dissonances, in this song they really did make it sound cohesive and natural like Jazz did before.
    This album is a tour de force, Even for Meshuggah high standard it is a very strong album with every song worth of multiple listenings. This is one of the greatest Progressive Metal Albums of all time, it isn't easy, but once it got you it will never loose the grip.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »