Camera Obscura Two: D.O.D.

Here’s a project that’s been buzzing around in the mind of Alberto Penzin (ex-Schizo) for a really long time. Things started taking shape back in 2009 and then jumped forward as new members were added over the next few years. Now that things have temporarily settled, the band is offering up this first release as a loving tribute to heavy music and to Giulio the Bastard who provided the vocals on this album. Here’s the rest of the lineup: Alberto Penzin plays the four-string bass, Andrea Ragusa (ex-Pestem, I Will Kill You) on five-string bass, Marco Mastrobuono (Hour of Penance, Inno) on guitars, and Giuseppe Orlando (Novembre, Catacomb) on drums. The band has already replaced Giulio and plans to release a new album with the new singer sometime next year.

As for the music itself, it’s best described as a dirty and distorted blend of grindcore and thrash. Dark, mean, and heavy, the music shifts from slow and brooding riffs to something more explosive. Tracks like “The Bitterest Drop� capture the weight of band’s slower tempos whereas something like “Need for Limited Loss� shows just how effectively they can shift from the slow to the fast to the slow. At 29 minutes, the album is tight and focused, at least for the most part. There is a “hidden track� about two thirds of the way through that offers over five minutes of droning ambient sound. It’s not a bad track, but it’s purpose isn’t terrible clear. Since the two songs that appear after it (“Swamp Angel� and “Deathstress�) are two of Penzin’s early compositions, maybe he wanted to completely separate the newer stuff from the older stuff. If you want to sit through the “hidden track,� you might like it, but if you are restless for more restlessness, skip over to “Swamp Angel� which is honestly one of the stronger tracks on the album because of it’s nice riffage and soaring guitars. The opening riff to “Deathstress� has a mid-80s vibe that I also really liked.

Overall, I thought this was a strong debut. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not the biggest fan of grindcore but I do listen to it from time to time. I especially like bands like this that draw on thrash elements to give things a little more structure and punch. The bass heavy sound gives everything an extra edge and the solid guitar riffs add some much-needed groove. Fans of Giulio the Bastard’s vocal style should enjoy this release. His performance is strong and unhinged. There are even times when he sounds like he simply can’t slow down. I’d suggest listening to the last two tracks and then going back to tracks like “Stalked by the Eye of No God� or “Need for Limited Loss.�

Track Listing:
1. My Ways Are Not Your Ways
2. To Bleed To Feel Alive
3. Stalked by The Eye of No God
4. Need for Limited Loss
5. (She’s) The Enemy
6. The Bitterest Drop (part 1)
7. [Hidden Track]
8. Swamp Angel
9. Deathstress

Added: February 17th 2021
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 666
Language: english

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