SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FUCKED UP – OBERON

Fucked Up
Oberon
Tankcrimes

Toronto’s very own punk veterans Fucked up are back with Oberon, their new EP out on Tankcrimes, which is a very fitting home considering the heavier direction the band has gone on this record.

Named after the king of fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it certainly accomplishes what it sets out to do by serving as Fucked Up’s twisted take on the soundtrack to a fairy tale. You can almost picture frontman Damian Abraham tiptoeing through a mythical forest as he recites the lyrics in his signature style. The opening title track “Oberon” sees the band take on a heavier sound with characteristics of sludge and doom with a more classic metal guitar tone. As an opening track, it doesn’t really have any captivating qualities that you’d expect, and its repetitiveness doesn’t really help as the song doesn’t really change until the 5-min mark where it begins its decent to an unsatisfying climax.

Unfortunately, this trend of repetitive riffs and drum fills continues through the rest of the album and doesn’t have any standout moments that make you want to keep coming back. It’s more one dimensional than the band’s previous efforts like Year of the Horse, and although the concept is interesting and should be applauded for its experimentation, it falls short.

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