Their most highly technical album to date, Meshuggah's latest release Obzen is taking the thrash metal world by storm.

One of the most celebrated thrash metal bands of our time and certainly the most musically accomplished, Meshuggah has hit the nail on the head with Obzen which is said to be an amalgamation of their earlier releases.

Guitarist Marten Hagstrom agreed with the interpretation saying that all albums drew on previous works to some extent.

"We incorporated a lot of old tools with all the new stuff we've been exploring so I guess it is sort of." he said.

Meshuggah have pushed the boundaries of what is musically swallowable with ear splitting thrash, highly technical music composition, not to mention the one-song concept album they threw at us with Catch 33.

They've dabbled in the obscene and the extreme and come out the other end as one of the most influential thrash metal bands of our time.

Already Obzen is making waves in the US since its March release with the artwork having been banned and released instead with a blank cover.

The original cover features a androgenous figure sitting in the lotus position covered in blood.

Hagstrom expressed his frustration with the US cramping their artistic vision for Obzen.

"It's OK to advocate mass murder internationally but not ok to show a guy with some blood on him...go figure" he said.

Meshuggah have typically dealt a shocking blow to listeners but like all musicians they strive to reach people through their music.

"One of the most rewarding things is when someone gains a new perspective on things through listening to our stuff," Hagstrom said.

"So I guess that's always on the agenda."

A favourite of the guitarist is a song that drags its feet and so gives rise to the name Lethargica.

Hagstrom said he enjoyed the feel of it because "it's so slow".

However some of the best riffs created for the album were cut at the very last minute.

"We scrapped one song very late, we had finished the vocals and all," Hagstrom revealed.

"The funny part is that some of the coolest riffs on the entire album are in that song....irony.

"Maybe it'll reappear," he added as an afterthought.

It's hard to be sure of where Meshuggah's influences came from in creating Obzen as they are renowned for keeping inspiration from other musicians out of their music.

Honestly when we write and record I never listen to other music," Hagstrom said.

"It's too much of an energy drain to focus on anything else other than the project at hand."

But that's not to say they don't greatly admire other musicians out there creating their own artistic vision.

Now that they have become what is essentially the top of the thrash metal food chain is there anyone Meshuggah still looks up to and aspires to be?

Hagstrom's answer is unequivocal; "Everyone who comes with an identity of their own and a vision".

"If it's good, I'll listen to it."

Meshuggah are midway through their tour of Australia and are expected to hit the stage in Adelaide tonight.

Hagstrom described the show as an explosion of "chaos and intensity".

As a final comment to fans of Meshuggah who have long awaited their arrival he added "Make sure you come check us out now that we're finally coming down under!"

Meshuggah are moving on to the Palace Theatre in Melbourne on October 15 and Capitol in Perth on October 16.

Tickets are on sale now.

 

 

AUTHOR: Nikkita Dixon

2008-10-14