OBZEN

Obzen is the definitive Meshuggah album and the album ultimately responsible for catapulting the djent movement into the mainstream of metal. The album's third track, a seven-and-a-half-minute exercise in double bass drumming and guitar picking mechanics entitled 'Bleed', has, justifiably, become the band's most iconic tune and one of the most iconic metal songs in this millennium. Elements of the final track, the progressive metal epic 'Dancers to a Discordant System,' have been and continue to be ripped off by aspiring and establish prog metal acts alike. If and when critics and musical historians attempt to establish the enduring legacy of this particular era in metal, you be certain this album will be featured prominently at the top of their lists.

With that all that said, from the "Spiteful Snake" until Pravus (tracks 6 through 9) the album does begin to drag. These songs are not bad, just a bit exhausting to listen to after the first 5 tracks. Ultimately, this stretch prevents me from giving it a 5/5.