January is usually a slow month for new releases. There are of course new albums and EPs released, but things don't tend to kick into gear until February. This quickly brings us to Obscura, the German technical death metal veterans who have forged a name for themselves as one of the most revered bands in the genre. Eyebrows were raised last year when an almost entirely new lineup was recruited, save, of course, frontman Steffen Kummerer, so fans may be a little apprehensive about the future of the band. Upon listening to their new album, "A Sonication" however, longtime listeners needn't panic.

Obscura wastes no time on this record, with the opening number, "Silver Linings" providing a fast and frenzied beginning of the sonic journey the listener is about to embark on. There's so much going on with this track alone, headlined by a fierce and crushing sound, that leaves room enough for melody. It's a wonderful mix of chaos and beauty, which can also be found in "In Solitude," which contains a little detour to more sorrowful feelings before returning to a more punishing sound. This dynamic is also present on the title track, which closes the album strongly and keeps the listener engaged throughout its seven minute length.

What helps to make "A Sonication" so interesting is how busy it is, without becoming overcrowded. At no point did I feel overwhelmed by the songs, but by and large, there was a lot to unpack. There are a few surprises in store too. For example, "The Prolonging" turns up, says it all it wants to in two minutes then gets out, which I appreciate since there's nothing wrong with brevity if there's still a lot to enjoy. I've also never been a fan of metal instrumentals, but "Beyond The Seventh Sun" is absolutely astounding, where acoustic guitars and the bass taking the lead are just some of the aspects that help to make it a real death metal symphony, crafting a fascinating but fun piece of music.

Listening to "A Sonication" in full, it's easy to hear why Obscura are one of the more popular tech-death bands in existence, because they can go from vibe to vibe so easily. The music is devastating but accessible, showcasing a fun side on "The Sun Eater," a track that will certainly go down very well live. In contrast, "Evenfall" demonstrates a more moody approach, being led in by the bass, which as you may have noticed, plays quite a prominent role on this album, before a superb melody comes in to really complete the song.

Throughout their career, Obscura has received acclaim for their albums and "A Sonication" will be no exception. It's extremely heavy but has so many layers that it encourages even the most ardent tech-death detractor to keep listening and really appreciate all that it has to offer. For the newcomer, they'll find the best aspects of technical death metal and for longtime fans, they'll be treated to another excellent outing which only further solidifies the band's legacy. This is perhaps the first essential album of 2025.