heavy-metal-darkness: Obscurity |Ascheregen |Trollzorn Records

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Obscurity |Ascheregen |Trollzorn Records

Release Date: 29.01.2026
Format: CD/LP/Digital
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Country: Germany

Obscurity started back in the late 90s in the Bergisch Land and never played the tourist in extreme metal. Ten albums deep now, this is a band built on persistence, pagan fire and a clear hatred for stagnation. Line up shifts have marked their history more than once, and "Ascheregen" arrives after another internal shake up. Founder Agalaz remains the core, steering the ship through storms of melody, frost and aggression, keeping the band grounded in its own blood soaked soil.

"Ascheregen" is rougher around the edges and that is a good thing. The melodic death and viking backbone is still there, but the black metal bite is harder this time, colder and more hostile. Riffs cut deeper, vocals sound more feral, and the whole album leans into darker territory without losing its sense of direction. Fans of "Tenkterra" and "Vintar" will recognize the spirit immediately, just sharpened and pushed into harsher weather.

The songwriting shows growth without polish creep. Songs stretch and contract naturally, built to hit hard and then linger in your head like smoke after a fire. There is more patience in how themes unfold and more aggression in how they are delivered. The guest appearance of Erik Grawsiö from Månegarm on "Rúnar Víg" adds extra gravity, especially with the German vocals, which sound grim, proud and deeply rooted.

Lyrically, "Ascheregen" walks through old Norse myth, forced faith, decay and modern collapse. It is not romantic and it is not subtle. The album reads like a long curse shouted across centuries, aimed at submission, false morality and societal rot. The concept holds together well and gives the album a darker spine that suits the harsher musical edge.

Production stays loyal to the Obscurity sound. Strong, raw and grounded, no fake shine, no plastic armor. Everything sounds forged in the same fire, and the artwork by Jan Yrlund seals the deal visually. "Ascheregen" is not a revolution, it is a solid, angry step forward that respects the past while grinding its teeth at the present.

Score: 8.0