Obsidian - Millimetre

Obsidian sound like Boards of Canada and The Cocteau Twins exercising their right to deformed and retarded children, dragging the listener through intense pastures of droning guitars, reverb-heavy percussion and swathes of synths. The title track sees sole member Terence J McGaughey groaning lyrics that fall somewhere between a death rattle and an orgasmic moan. Rather like Throbbing Gristle, it's an incredibly intense experience, and often falls into brilliantly discordant moments. The vocals can be a little too high in the mix at times, and mask McGaughey's talents on guitar, drums and electronics, but complaining about the production levels seems a little ridiculous when it's so intense. Occasionally the tension between beauty and pain breaks, and I Fell Into A Mirror sees McGaughey mournfully lamenting "my skin's a motorway", whilst the closing track Black Dog Avenue is almost joyous with its upbeat guitar line. This isn't like Ian Curtis telling the world he's a bit sad though, and whilst the music of Obsidian is murky and dark, it taps into the droning power of Mogwai that lifts the listener beyond the everyday. [Liam Arnold]