obZen - Meshuggah
User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36

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  1. SebastianW.
    Mar 31, 2008
    9
    A release that merges every style Meshuggah has touched on throughout their career and merges them into a pared-down summary of what makes them so important.
  2. TH
    Apr 1, 2008
    9
    Bleed is devastating. The title track is the heaviest thing on earth. This album is amazing.
  3. TimT
    Apr 23, 2008
    9
    Brilliant, intricate album.
  4. ChrisH.
    Mar 13, 2008
    9
    This is a great album--not perfect, but great. By the way, Ben Ratliff from Blender is an idiot; he clearly dismisses the efforts of Meshuggah to tailor their sound back into a more cohesive effort in the vein of "Destroy, Erase, Improve" and "Chaosphere," the latter of which he mentions as having more groove. While that statement in and of itself may be true, he leaves no room for the evolution Meshuggah has obviously made since then.… Expand
  5. DieselL.
    Mar 14, 2008
    9
    Whilst there is very little here that is groundbreaking/ innovativ, this is certainly the most aggressive material Meshuggah have put out in a long time. The album sounds like a fast spastic with a hammer in one hand and a knife in the other. If you like their previous work (and if you don't there's something wrong in your brain that you need to have fixed by a surgeon at the next available opportunity) then you'll love it.… Expand
  6. [Anonymous]
    Mar 15, 2008
    9
    Great album, Meshuggah's best so far.
  7. FlorisV.
    Mar 16, 2008
    10
    Not so hard for the ears this time, but don't let that fact misguide you, probably the most technical album so far.
  8. JohnB.
    Mar 19, 2008
    9
    Bone crushing... took me a few listens to really appreciate it. Pravus is the best track... at 52 minutes it's the perfect length.
  9. TJ
    Mar 24, 2008
    9
    Great album, I'd say its more of a thrash album but they still stick to their essence of being extremely technical.
  10. DrewH.
    Apr 18, 2008
    9
    Blender is right on, but only for the first listen. It takes a lot of patience to get through the album the first time you hear it. But every time after that, it's pretty exhilarating.
  11. aalapd
    Jan 31, 2011
    9
    This is one of my favourite metal albums. The poly-rhythms never fail keep you on your toes and the heavy guitar riffs keep it insanely edgy. This is the most intense band I have ever heard. Tears you apart.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. All Music Guide
    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.
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  2. Blender
    40
    The stiff, weirdly disengaged, single-note guitar solos and Kidman’s monochromatic death screams don’t make you want to keep dragging yourself through the record.
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  3. Sputnikmusic
    90
    obZen is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging record, and is without question an early contender for metal Album of the Year.
    Read full review
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