Athens-based post-punk/gothic rockers Reflection Black are back, and this time they bring with them “Burning Obsidian Star”, their second full-length album. The successor to “Last Stop to Nowhere” made a particularly strong impression on me, as it is a complete, exquisite and thoroughly accomplished post-punk and gothic rock record, enriched with plenty of dark wave and dark rock elements. The new album by Reflection Black proves to be excellent company, haunting your mind with its melodies and harmonies. The band has a deep understanding of the genre they operate in, and they combine this knowledge with passion and emotion, ultimately delivering a dark album with the appropriate atmosphere and exactly the right feeling for the occasion. Every note is interesting, every song a small post-punk/gothic rock gem, carefully shaped by the band’s hands and delivered with grace and style. “Burning Obsidian Star” is more menacing and “blacker” than anything the Athenians have released so far, yet at the same time it feels more alive and more solid. It is a clear statement from the band that they can continue at the high level of their recent past — the bar was already set high with “Last Stop to Nowhere,” but now it is raised even higher. Reflection Black are not reinventing the wheel, but they are offering an album that encapsulates the essence of post-punk and gothic rock, along with the influence these genres have had on metal. This means that “Burning Obsidian Star” will appeal both to fans of post-punk, gothic rock, and dark wave, as well as to listeners of dark and gothic metal. Faithful followers, step right up!
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
