User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

obZen
by
obZen Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 72 Ratings

  • Summary: The Swedish metal band releases its sixth studio album.

Top Track

Bleed
Beams of fire sweep through my head Thrusts of pain increasingly engaged Sensory receptors succumb I am no one now only agony My crimson liquid so... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

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. 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.
  4. 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. 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.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. 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
  2. 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 ofFerocious, 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!… Expand
  4. 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 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.… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. 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 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.… Expand
  7. Xathiahs
    Jan 23, 2022
    9
    The symbol of the progressive metal! It contains Bleed, the most famous Meshuggah track!
  8. 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!… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »