Echo Scale™: 4.8/5 ★★★★☆
Echo Rebel’s favourite masked Scottish Metalcore-meets-Electronic sledgehammer is back. Having smashed his way onto the scene with “Where Do You End?”, Edinburgh’s Obelisk returns with his latest single, “Tragically Designed,” and it’s a masterclass in how to build on a solid foundation. This isn’t a new direction so much as it is a natural, refined evolution of everything we already loved. Obelisk has seen his popularity really increase in recent months and you can really see why. This is an artist on their way to serious success.
A Perfectly Engineered Wall of Noise
For those who know Obelisk, it should come as no surprise that the production on this track is utterly flawless. In an era of sterile, over-produced music, Obelisk is one hell of a producer, and he’s not afraid to use every inch of the sonic space. He builds a towering, constant wall of sound that feels both monumental and intensely personal. The fidelity is second to none, and for a song with this much going on, a lesser artist would have delivered a cluttered mess. Instead, Obelisk gives us a full, impactful gut punch of a track that breathes and hits hard from start to finish.
Guitars- Fatter than Your mum
In our e-interview with the man behind the mask, Obelisk gave us a glimpse into his “secret sauce” for that massive guitar tone, and it’s on full, glorious display here. The guitars are absolutely gigantic, slicing through the synths with the weight of metal and the unhinged attitude of hardcore punk. They are the driving force, a roaring testament to Obelisk’s ability to blend raw aggression with polished precision.
And that’s the key. While many of his peers would build a song entirely around their synth hooks, Obelisk uses his electronic elements as a deadly support system. They enhance what would already have been a killer metalcore track, beefing out the sound and providing a unique selling point that few can match. This is a song that feels honest to its core, it’s metalcore at its most primal, with a punky vibe and relentless drums that remind you of the genre’s original spirit.
A Voice That Cuts Through The Bullsh*t
Look, Obelisk’s vocals aren’t for everyone, and we get that. But here at Echo Rebel, we’ve always been fans. We’ve given him props before for sticking to his natural Scottish accent, and that authenticity makes his music far more relatable than the faux-American voices we so often hear. In “Tragically Designed,” he unleashes more of his screamed vocals, and they’re solid as hell, used in perfect measure to keep the song accessible while being heavier than a cement truck. Don’t expect Howard Jones, expect an honest, authentic, frustrated voice straight from the heart.
Final Verdict
“Tragically Designed” is more than just a single; it’s a statement. This track feels like the confident, natural next step in Obelisk’s journey, proving that the raw, frustrated energy we fell in love with on “Where Do You End?” can be channeled into something even more refined and impactful. It’s a powerful testament to an artist with a singular vision, a perfect snapshot of his unique ability to carve out a space in the scene that is uniquely his. Obelisk has proven the depth of his talent, leaving us at Echo Rebel fully hooked and ravenous for the full album. The countdown to Brushed By Darkness is officially on, and we can’t wait to get our hands on what is sure to be one of the most powerful independent releases of the year.
Echo Scale™: 4.8/5 ★★★★☆
