“Here at last! Here at last! Praise the Lord, it’s here at last!”

Such exclamations will likely greet NEVERMORE’s super-anticipated follow up to their last studio album once it reaches a store shelf near you. Having listened to it for weeks and weeks (ah, the perks of this dubious profession called “metal journalism”) this scribe can now proclaim how awesome it is. Indeed, awesomeness is a guarantee when it comes to Seattle’s preeminent metallers. Thus, having established its preeminence, you can stop reading and buy your own copy to savor its manifold delights by yourself, or…

Though reduced to a quartet since guitarist Steve Smyth’s less than amicable departure long ago, such a reduction has no corresponding effect on the enormity of NEVERMORE’s patented and ever unfathomable sound. Opening track The Termination Proclamation barges in to flex its muscle and might. Fast and heavy, laced with the peerless Warrel Dane’s somber croons as he wails about the sufferings human beings inflict on each other, making pointed references to army ants and much nihilism. The next track Your Poison Throne eases the pace a bit with mid-tempo grooves - oh yes, the grooves, of which there are many throughout the album - and an acidic declaration at the chorus. Let’s not forget a delicious guitar solo from Jeff Loomis, who hasn’t lost an ounce of talent since This Godless Endeavor. The man really shines best on the faster songs here and to witness his finest contributions, head straight for the title track, Emptiness Unobstructed, or sink your teeth on Without Morals.

The discerning listener shall note two predominant moods as the album unfolds: it’s either brooding or furious. ‘Furious’ runs at full throttle when Moonrise (Through Mirrors Of Death) falls on the expectant fanboy like a ton of bricks. Furious also predominates once the title track gets underway at the very end. As for the ‘brooding’ parts, there are a lot of these too. For starters have a taste of And The Maiden Spoke where the band flit between slow and fast tempos as they spin a yarn fraught with horror. Even better, the heart-rending ballad The Blue Marble And The New Soul is arguably the best the album has the offer in terms of emotional pull. Incredible on all fronts, The Obsidian Conspiracy is guaranteed not to disappoint.