Entrapment - The Obscurity Within...

ENTRAPMENT - The Obscurity Within... (SOULSELLER Records LP 2012)

I already did three or four reviews of Entrapment, I even did an interview with Michel Jonker maybe seven long years ago, so you could say that I've always tried to support this band and have always been giving them a good word. Last week I again came back and intensively played Entrapment's debut full length album "The Obscurity Within..." and I thought I had not done review for this album yet. So why not now? It's from 2012, so it's nothing new, but I somehow feel that not many people noticed this album and gave Entrapment an appreciation, which this band deserves. So, late or not, here're some thoughts on "The Obscurity Within..."!! 

Before doing this album, Entrapment has already had a strong beginning behind, with three killer demos recorded between 2010-11. "The Obscurity Within..." takes that experience and brings Entrapment to even higher level, as certainly it's a good step forward for the band. Stylistically not much had changed, this album even contains a couple of old demo songs, not only the new material. But the performance is better, everything clicks here perfectly. This music is very vicious, aggressive, it's primeval death metal filth, but played very, very well. The production is also a bit better, even if it’s harsh as hell, what sometimes gives a bit messy feel. But it also has this live feel, like the band was just setting up their gear in the rehearsal room and started to play their shitty death metal loud and drunk. And that obviously adds more energy to the overall sound. 

As for the style of music, Entrapment has a strong Swedish influence in their death metal, from old bands like Nihilist / Entombed, but also newer acts like Repugnant. There's also, especially in song called "Anxiety", some Autopsy worshipping riffs, which I absolutely love. There could probably be more comparisons you can make, but that's not the matter. The thing is Entrapment came up with fantastic songs on this album, I absolutely love these riffs, the atmosphere of horror and creep, which they awake. There are some brilliant melodies as well, which is what I especially like, when death metal is not just about brutality, but it wants to set a dark mood and have some memorable, even harmonious, parts. I just like such harsh, very old school filthy death metal. It can sound a bit sloppy and primitive to some, but who cares. This is the essence of such style. "The Obscurity Within..."  is probably my favourite Entrapment album, to be honest. 32 minutes worth to listen to. And awesome artwork! 

Standout tracks: “Dead and Cold”, “Anxiety”, “Feast of Atonement” 

Verdict: 85/100