description Meshuggah - obZen Overview
Meshuggah’s obZen (2008) is a progressive metal album renowned for its intensely intricate rhythmic structures. The album showcases the band's signature polyrhythmic approach, particularly evident in tracks like “Bleed,” which features an exceptionally complex and sustained drum pattern. This work is notable for its demanding technicality and has proven influential within genres such as djent and heavy progressive metal. It’s primarily appreciated by musicians and listeners interested in challenging rhythmic compositions and complex instrumental arrangements.
insights Why this score
Meshuggah - obZen ranks #8 of 196 in the Progressive Metal Album ranking, behind Tool - Aenima, ahead of Between the Buried and Me - Colors.
help Meshuggah - obZen FAQ
What is the most difficult song to play on Meshuggah's obZen album?
The track 'Bleed' is widely considered one of the most physically demanding metal drum songs ever recorded. Drummer Tomas Haake utilizes a complex, sustained polyrhythmic blast beat that requires intense stamina and double-kick precision. Many professional drummers have cited the song as a benchmark test of their technical abilities.
When did Meshuggah release the obZen album?
Meshuggah released obZen on March 7, 2008, through Nuclear Blast Records. It marked a slight shift from the heavily experimental Catch Thirtythree, returning to a more aggressive, song-oriented format. The album peaked at number 59 on the US Billboard 200, a high mark for the band at the time.
What does the title 'obZen' mean?
The word 'obZen' is a portmanteau of 'obscene' and 'Zen,' reflecting humanity's obsession with finding peace or enlightenment in the midst of violent realities. The album artwork features a blood-covered human figure sitting in a lotus position, visually representing this paradoxical concept. The lyrics explore themes of human destruction and the mechanization of society.
What guitar tunings does Meshuggah use on obZen?
Meshuggah is famous for pioneering the use of 8-string guitars in heavy metal, which provide an incredibly low and heavy sonic range. Guitarists Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström tuned their 8-strings down a full step to F standard on many tracks of obZen. This allows them to play complex, dissonant jazz-like chords in the lowest possible register.
explore Explore More
Similar to Meshuggah - obZen
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
