“OMINOUS NEW DAWN”
Abysmia (Tin Idol Productions)
Hoku Award-winner Gerard Gonsalves’ Tin Idol Productions record label expands its presence as the core of Hawaii’s metal music scene with the addition of this new act to the catalog. Vocalist King Obsidian growls and snarls rather than sings his way through 10 original tales of death, destruction, treachery, heartbreak, and suicidal thoughts. Marty Mayhem (guitars), Rexx Havoc (bass) and Kriss Khaos (drums) complete the roster.
Songs with titles such as “Broken World,” “Bomb Full of Secrets” and “Eyes Gone Wrong” chart the experiences of an angry and tormented being who feels that he will never be able to escape a “broken world” where people devour each other.
Obsidian’s roars often verge on the unintelligible. The occasional use of a different, clearer, vocal style adds emphasis to statements like “My trust in you is shattered. I’m walking out the door. Nothing we shared has mattered.”
Is the narrator dead? Or, is he someone whose heart has been broken so badly that he thinks of himself as dead? And what conclusions should we make when the album ends with a song titled “Dead is the New Sexy?” With no liner notes provided it is all a matter of personal imagination.
Visit reverbnation.com/abysmia.
“HAVE FUN”
Karlie G (Karlie G)
Teenage singer/songwriter Karlie G (birth name Karlie Goya) introduced herself as a recording artist with a self-produced EP titled “Till The End” in 2016. Her writing and musical arrangements were worthy of national radio play. This is her follow-up, a full-length album in CD format that was released without official announcement the end of last year. Its contents show that the commercial quality of her earlier work was not a fluke. We’ll all learn on Saturday if she wins either of the two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards she’s a finalist for.
As in 2016, Karlie’s songs are about experiences adults as well as teens can identify with — serious relationships, jealousy, the search for sincere love. On one of the most beautiful, “I Lose,” she sings of the wonder of finding someone so perfect for her that when they’re together “I lose all my self control.”
Two outliers are also notable. “Running Falling” is powered by a reggae-style guitar rhythm. “Oh Na Na” ends with an eruption of guitar distortion. Variety is a good thing.
Karlie was known in years past as an ukulele prodigy who could also sing but she uses the instrument sparingly — albeit effectively — here. Most of the songs have no link to Hawaii other than the pedigree of the performer — and that mainstream popness should work to her favor in getting an audience outside the islands.
Visit karliegoya.com.
