I do not know exactly when it was that I first heard Meshuggah. I do know that it was some years ago. I had a few friends who kept urging me to check them out. So, eventually I decided to pick up a disk, it was a combination disk with both Contradictions Collapse and None.

I was impressed; this was a sound that I could get used to. Some time later I picked up Nothing after seeing a video for "Rational Gaze." This was even better. Then I saw them in concert and was blown away. I had never heard a band sound like that live, and I doubt that I ever will.

Now, here we are, a few more years removed from my last album purchase and that live experience and a new Meshuggah release has found its way to my desk. The album is obZen and I cannot explain why it has taken this long between albums for me to hear more of them.

To begin to categorize Meshuggah would probably end up being a column unto itself. They encompass elements of tech metal, death metal, thrash metal, math metal, progressive, and even a little bit of jazz fusion. The variety of sounds they bring together is impressive, varied, and they do not appear to make good bedfellows. Somehow, this Swedish five-piece have been able to bring all of these influences and more to the table in a cohesive fashion is nothing short of miraculous. If you are a fan of metal and do not know these guys, you are missing out on something special. On top of that, if you have not listened to what they have created here, well, you know what you need to do.

There are heavy bands and then there is Meshuggah. They bring an extraordinarily high level of technical prowess to the table, so high as to make your head spin. However, it is so much more than their ability to play their instruments.

As we all know, there are a ton of players out there on each instrument that know how to use their weapon of choice to great effect. However, when you put them in a group environment, their ability to co-exist is diminished and if the chosen cast of characters is not carefully selected they, as individuals or a group, will never attain success.

When you apply this to Meshuggah, the blend of talent and chemistry is near perfect. Now, combine that with their songwriting ability and you approach a behemoth that is near unstoppable. obZen is a great example of all the pieces falling into the right place.

Meshuggah was once described as Dream Theater if they went into extreme metal. It is an accurate comparison. Although their sounds are worlds apart, their skill level is way above many others in their genre. Also, like Dream Theater, their influence can be seen in other bands, most notable, for me, with French metal act Gojira.