track, for example, features a recurring, legitimately atonal melody played via fingertapping), and the drums change tempos and time signatures in spastic, whiplash-inducing fashion." York also notes that despite the apparent chaos of the album's sound, "it possesses an underlying sense of logic and structure that does reveal itself upon repeat listens. A number of memorable, if strange, guitar melodies emerge throughout the album and help provide a sense of order and thematic unity amidst the apparent chaos; "Earthly Love" and "Nostalgia" are especially strong examples of this." Pitchfork's Hank Shteamer has described Obscura as "one of the most pungently progressive albums ever made, in or out of metal. Obscura didn't just register as technical; it sounded downright excruciating, as if its shuddering blastbeats, doleful bellows, and deliriously inventive guitarwork were being torn straight from the chests of its makers." Critical reception and influence Obscura has come to be regarded as a pioneering album often described as being well ahead of its time, "one of the greatest albums ever made", and "a classic". It has also been noted as a significant influence on a range of other metal bands, including Ulcerate, Spawn of Possession, Brain Drill, and Obscura, who named their band after the album. William York of AllMusic categorized Obscura as "one of the most challenging, difficult albums ever released within the metal genre" and "a work of great depth and vision". Dean Brown of PopMatters remarked that "because of its influence, Obscura will always be a benchmark to which dissonant, technical death metal will be measured; and it's a release that time and circumstance has turned into an unbreakable marble altar." Track listing Personnel Gorguts – producer Luc Lemay – guitar, artistic direction, vocals, viola, artwork Steeve Hurdle – guitar, vocals, concept idealisation, artistic direction, songs and album title Steve Cloutier – bass guitar Patrick Robert – drums Pierre Rémillard – producer, engineer Sylvain Brisebois – master Joel Beaupré – photography Alain Cloutier – artwork References 1998 albums Gorguts albums Concept albums