Review by Adam M on October 11, 2017.

Ne Oblivscaris bring a complex formula to the table. They incorporate strings so nicely into their mix that it’s almost seamless, but no less bombastic. The music here is very busy and interesting in equal measures. The vocals are just as varied as the music, alternating between harsh sections and the wonderful clean ones. The music here is multi-dimensional and infinitely compelling. There is so much going on that it takes multiple listens for the music to sink in, but you’ll be willing to take the journey again and again.

The guitars are utilized effectively, but only in congruence with the violins to add color at the appropriate moments. There is a large amount of variety in the instrumentation, which is one of the main draws of the band. Ne Obliviscaris are able to splice and combine a number of different instruments in the most interesting of fashions. Whether the music is entirely different from the albums that came before it is beside the point.   There is simply a number of new passages to become enthralled in with the beguiling method that Ne Obliviscaris creates. The music remains fresh and interesting, though I foresee the band could change their formula a bit in the future. Still, it’s undeniable how beautiful the music here is.

Ne Obliviscaris’ style is one to be copied and adored for ages to come. Their music has the same appeal that old Opeth recordings had and is similarly as impactful. This is simply the most vibrant collection of songs that has been released this year and it should be cherished as such. This band is on a roll and I can’t wait to see what they do next. All fans of heavy metal should find something to like with Urn.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Adam M on October 11, 2017.

Ne Oblivscaris bring a complex formula to the table. They incorporate strings so nicely into their mix that it’s almost seamless, but no less bombastic. The music here is very busy and interesting in equal measures. The vocals are just as varied as the music, alternating between harsh sections and the wonderful clean ones. The music here is multi-dimensional and infinitely compelling. There is so much going on that it takes multiple listens for the music to sink in, but you’ll be willing to take the journey again and again.

The guitars are utilized effectively, but only in congruence with the violins to add color at the appropriate moments. There is a large amount of variety in the instrumentation, which is one of the main draws of the band. Ne Obliviscaris are able to splice and combine a number of different instruments in the most interesting of fashions. Whether the music is entirely different from the albums that came before it is beside the point.   There is simply a number of new passages to become enthralled in with the beguiling method that Ne Obliviscaris creates. The music remains fresh and interesting, though I foresee the band could change their formula a bit in the future. Still, it’s undeniable how beautiful the music here is.

Ne Obliviscaris’ style is one to be copied and adored for ages to come. Their music has the same appeal that old Opeth recordings had and is similarly as impactful. This is simply the most vibrant collection of songs that has been released this year and it should be cherished as such. This band is on a roll and I can’t wait to see what they do next. All fans of heavy metal should find something to like with Urn.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by JD on September 8, 2013.

With great curiosity I am looking at a CD in my hands. An odd drawing of a woman surrounded by flowers and clutching a bunch of arrows adorns the cover and that seemed cool enough. What would be on this disk musically was a far cry from what it was that I expected.

This band from Wisconsin is labeled Psychedelic Rock/Doom Metal, but I have a slight problem with that assessment. I see a band more apt to be labeled a Psychedelic/Atmospheric Rock that tagging it with Doom. It has a few smatterings of spots on the album that have the enjoyable heavy riffs that are reminiscent of early Sabbath, but it is rooted more towards acts like Blue Oyster Cult mixed with some hippy music of the late sixties or early seventies.

Jex ‘Jessica Bowen’ Thoth (Lead Vox) may be one amazing vocalist, but even her wonderful voice can’t help this collection of songs. Her power and sense of melody not to mention the insane amount of pure emotion she emanates out does carry the music along like a bowing crutch for a fat man, yet the limping music cannot be saved. I get what they might have been doing, but the musicality of the band is below what Jex can do. She does carry the bulk of the load here – but the element in the music does not match up to her amazing talents – and the album falls flat and dies.

If you are looking for good and powerful Doom Metal or metal in general, go elsewhere… if you want elevator music made exclusively for the extremely clinically depressed – this might be for you. Either way, most metallists will not get into this album. As a musician, it makes some sense in a little way, as a headbanger; it confuses the fuck out of me. It does have smatterings of metal like qualities – just not enough to do anything at all.

Its sad…very fucking sad indeed. Jex Thoth could match up to anyone out there – she needs a real band that can match her incredible talent pool.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 5
Atmosphere: 4 (vocals get all the points here, not enough to help though)
Production: 4
Originality: 3
Overall: 3

Rating: 3.8 out of 10