obZen
by Meshuggah
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

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  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 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!
  2. 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.
  3. TH
    Apr 1, 2008
    9
    Bleed is devastating. The title track is the heaviest thing on earth. This album is amazing.
  4. TimT
    Apr 23, 2008
    9
    Brilliant, intricate album.
  5. 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 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
  6. 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 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.… Collapse
  7. [Anonymous]
    Mar 15, 2008
    9
    Great album, Meshuggah's best so far.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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 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    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 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.    … Expand
  13. 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.
  14. 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
  15. AlexStand
    Sep 25, 2015
    9
    The best Meshuggah album! Just masterpiece from the bst band in this genre!
    All tracks are very pleasant to listen to.I will choose "Bleed" and "obZen" from them all.
    9 from 10.
  16. BryanKidd666
    Feb 27, 2020
    9
    This is not a Metal. This is MESHUGGAH
    A harmony between low toned guitar with Jens' vocal is amazing.
  17. Geffen
    Jan 18, 2021
    10
    Ferocious, relentless, vicious, and brutal. Meshuggah gets my perfect rating not only for those reasons but also because this album is one of the best I've heard in my life!
  18. Xathiahs
    Jan 23, 2022
    9
    The symbol of the progressive metal! It contains Bleed, the most famous Meshuggah track!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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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