Oberon

Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rockers – Oberon – debut album – Pale Blue Dot is a journey of progressive spaced out riffs. Oberon take early-era The Sword doomy vibes and match it against Mastodon/Baroness style Sludge rock/metal riffs. It all comes together for one exciting and wild loud ride that lasts for sixty-one minutes or so. Oberon feel they also influenced by bands from the 70s Progressive Rock scene especially with DJ's vocals. They have a certain vintage and progressive feel to them.

The album is quite euphoric and highly anthemic at times with Oberon showing a creative flair blending the progressive rock/metal riffs against a heavy space rock/psych backdrop. The opening songs – Upon The Revolutions On Heavenly Spheres, Pillars and Lunar Rising sees Oberon laying down the groundwork for the rest of the album to follow. The instrumental work flows with style, conviction and a sense of originality. The vocals take a few moments getting used to but lead vocalist –DJ – soon wins you over with an assured and highly confident vocal performance.

The lyrical content is one more based in Science Fiction or should I say Science Fact but it works as Oberon make you care what’s being played around you. If you’re a fan of seminal Mastodon album – Crack The Skye then you will find much to admire here. Pale Blue Dot is not as crazy as that album but it contains the same sort of out of this world structure. It allows the listener to suspend their disbelief in reality and enjoy the superb music being played for the next sixty minutes or so.

I would say the album is fairly split between instrumental rock/metal and songs with vocals. One of my fave songs has to be the title track – Pale Blue Dot. An instrumental piece that only lasts about three minutes but one that sees Oberon in a more reflective mood. It has a soothing psychedelic post-rock/post-metal delivery where the band excels in showing off their musical skills.

Pale Blue Dot maybe a hard album to listen to for the casual listener as Oberon includes a huge amount of ideas that demands your full attention. This is an album you will need to listen a few times to fully understand it. If you’re here mainly for the riffs then you won’t leave disappointed as Oberon excel in this department.

Even when they slow the mood right down there’s always something exciting waiting round the corner. Some people may state Oberon could have easily left a couple of songs from the album. Though what songs would you leave out as you would change the whole dynamic of the album. Pale Blue Dot is an intelligent and action-packed Sludge/Stoner Metal ride from start to finish that has a few hidden surprises along the way. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe - Outlaws of the Sun