Whoever says that Rock-n-Roll is dead has not been paying attention to Crobot over the last decade. A band out of the historically industrial city of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Crobot initially came together in 2011 with aspirations of bringing Rock-n-Roll back to the glory days.
Full of fire and determination, they honed in their sound over the next few years and soon attracted the attention of Wind-Up Records in 2013, releasing their self-titled EP in early 2014, and continued to tour with acts like Chevelle, Clutch, as well as The Sword. Building momentum, in October of 2014 they released the debut full-length album Something Supernatural, and it quickly rocketed up Hard Rock charts. An impressive beginning, word quickly began to spread that these guys were no nonsense straight-on Hard Rock with passionate, high soaring vocals and a retro ascetic that stood out. More than a flash in the pan, three more albums followed, from 2016’s Welcome to Fat City and 2019’s Motherbrain, all the way through to 2022’s Feel This. Now in 2024 Crobot returns with more gritty Rock-n-Roll flowing over the edge on the new album Obsidian.
Out on September 13th through Megaforce Records, Obsidian is the band’s fifth overall studio album that follows up a string of mainstream Rock hits in years past. Still hungry, Crobot self-produced this new material along with assisting the accomplished Alberto De Icaza (who has worked with everyone from Clutch to The Amity Affliction). This in mind, if you are familiar with Crobot, what you get is yet another album full of passionate Heavy Rock. Although, if you are late to the party, imagine if Grunge and Classic Rock came together inside one room to jam out some song ideas. As mentioned, truly no-frills Rock-n-Roll, their guitars are heavy, rhythm section tight (courtesy of Dan Ryan on drums, and newest member, Pat Seals on bass), their approach is unapologetic, and the leading vocals of Brandon Yeagley are impossible to ignore.
Something that should appeal to fans of Soundgarden, Black Stone Cherry, Black Sabbath, and even Led Zeppelin, Crobot certainly brings their all with Obsidian. Consisting of eleven tracks, the new material comes charging right out the gates with power and intensity. Very high pace, the riffs of Chris Bishop are dirty and sharp, and the overall tone of each song is aggressive. As mentioned, not really anything new with Crobot, for whatever reason this new album seems full of new inspiration and determination, thus making it heavier in many regards.
Soaking it all in, you have the attack of the title-track, the absolute crushing “Come Down,” and very straight-ahead rocker “Nothing.” However, these three pre-album releases are only the hooks to draw you in; because there are other heavy hitters like “Disappear” and “White Rabbit,” but also other standouts like “From the Ground,” as well as “Head of the Beast.”
All together Obsidian has some darker, doom-laden moments, but through it all there are some absolutely outstanding guitar grooves and melodies. The atmosphere here is rich, textured, and it seems like Crobot was really dialed in to create more Heavy Rock in their own light, but all with an even thicker haunting quality. With well-constructed songs, fantastic production, plus a blood, sweat, and tears energy, Obsidian is a must listen. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Crobot’s latest effort 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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