Outstanding-they are back!
The best album since Nothing-good variety, not all the songs are similiar, which is a good thing-their talent shows here!

Impressive but cold
This CD is beloved by a lot of people, I got it based on the first song and the person who said "most bands don't even try anymore, but Meshuggah puts it all out there." Each song sets up an impressive, pounding groove, and the band plays tight. Unfortunately, that's about all I get from it. There isn't much in the way of guitar riffs or any of the other things I like about metal besides the wild drums. The songs are monotonous, and it's impossible to get anything from the garbled singing which is back in the mix. So, Meshuggah isn't going to be for everyone, even if you like other math metal or similar technically-oriented bands.

Boring!
I was told to get this group that the band was good, the only good thing that it beats emo-punk. It doesn't have any range at all or any uniqueness to it just the same background music with different lyrics over and over and over... You have to go way back to bands that started this Genre of music to feel the freshness of it i.e. Ministry, Helmet or Megadeth on the Metal side. Boring

Sound of Future.
I'm not sure I'd put Obzen in the top tier of Meshuggah albums, as the last couple of tracks don't quite hold my attention, and very little can match the rush that came with hearing their early work for the first time.

But even if Obzen isn't the band's best work, it still sees them exploring their own unique sonic territory and pushing boundaries most bands don't even seem to know exist. For listeners who share Meshuggah's odd sense of adventure, this album gets my unreserved recommendation. Five stars for most bands, five for Meshuggah.

Good, but not an easy listen...
This album takes time to grow on you. A lot of time. I'm a good 20+ listens into this one over the last month, at least.

That being said, it still hasn't grown on me completely, and I don't think it will. It's VERY monotonous (vocally) UNLESS you're following along with the lyrics. There is lyrical depth, and they're well worth listening to AND reading, but the vocal range is SO severely limited that it's, well... grating. I realize that's the point and the style, but I simply don't like it.

I have NO complaints with this album in terms of the music. The opening minute of riffing on "Combustion" alone is better than most metal albums of the last decade. Complex ideas, solid riffs, exquisite drumming, a tight performance all around... with a different vocalist or even just more vocal range being used, this would be four stars plus and a favorite.

If you love Meshuggah, you will LOVE this album. I like it, but it's just a more limited listen for me than other favorites.