Obscura

With two ex-members of Necrophagist and a former bassist from Pestilence you'd better believe Obscura know their shit when it comes to extreme metal. Cosmogenesis is Exhibit A as to why they are a band to check out. Fans of technical metal will drool all over this record, as jacked-up bass lines, blast beats, sweeping twin harmonies and time-signature abuse all sweeten the pestilential pot. If you're anxiously awaiting the new Atheist or Pestilence releases this year, Cosmogenesis will definitely serve as a worthy holdover. In fact, with a tempo that burns and rips to the speed and precision of bands like Origin, Cosmogenesis has actually set the bar for quality technical metal in 2009. Cosmogenesis is only their second full-length release but with the pedigree already established with Obscura's former employers and a very solid foundation of uncompromisingly precise and brutal songwriting, Obscura are definitely worth keeping an eye on.