We recently turned the spotlight on Obelisk, the enigmatic Edinburgh-based artist, with a review that hailed his track “Where Do You End?” as a “frustrated scream into the void” and a “perfectly engineered, excellently written banger.” Now, we’re thrilled to delve deeper into the mind behind the mask.
In this exclusive e-interview, Obelisk opens up about his creative process, the motivations behind his raw, aggressive sound, and what it means to forge his own path in the music scene. From the genesis of his masked persona to the gear that shapes his unique electronic metal sound, Obelisk holds nothing back.
Obelisk: Behind the Mask and the Music
Echo Rebel: Obelisk is a masked project that thrives on mystery and direct connection. What led you to launch Obelisk anonymously, and has staying behind the mask changed the way people engage with your music?
Obelisk: Sooooo the initial story behind the mask is a bit longwinded. I hadn’t done anything in music for over 10 years, spent most of my youth/teens playing music in bands. When I got back into playing, I joined a great pop punk band, and not to sound arrogant, but were really good!
I’ve been bad enough and in bad projects to know when something is good, but still no one would even listen to us, never mind come to a gig etc.
Even people who I knew would like the music, didn’t even budge. And I started to think about how in the UK, in Scotland in my experience we don’t really support people and that made me really angry.
So I thought, if people didn’t know who I was, or what I had done, what I looked like, would there be a difference? And so far I think it’s showing me something. I’m connecting with groups of people I think would shy away from me!
Echo Rebel: The review called “Where do you end?” a “frustrated scream into the void.” Where does that raw energy come from, and is there a specific story or trigger that shaped this track?
Obelisk: Mostly from the previous question! And other typical aspects of life, ex girlfriend, awful experiences etc.
That track is actually written about my frustrations with people who are “holier than thou” and pick and choose their moral beliefs when it suits them. Can’t stand them.
Echo Rebel: You stick to your natural Scottish accent in your vocals, which adds a distinct edge. Was this a conscious decision from the start? What does it mean to you to “sound Scottish” in a scene full of faux-American voices?
Obelisk: When I joined the punk band I mentioned earlier, there whole thing is American punk sung with English and Scottish lungs. So with some help and lot of practice I managed to sing in my accent, which was a lot harder than you think it would be.
After that I’ve really wanted to use it to differentiate myself from other artists. There’s more and more coming through with the accent, and I love to represent.
Echo Rebel: Your production got a big shout-out in our review. Can you walk us through your recording setup and studio gear—any favourite synths, pedals, or production tricks you can share?
Obelisk: Got to give a massive shoutout to Dom from Gracestone Studios in Dunfermline! He brings everything out on the track immensely and has great kit to use for anything!
My gear is fairly simple at the minute, I use an 8 string LTD 1008 for most of the guitar parts, and a custom shop Gibson Les Paul (my baby), which I use for other parts when needed. And for the synths… they’re all stock Logic plugins, except the bass synth I put together. I wanted to have an element of anyone can write these songs, you don’t have to sell your gran for mental plugins!
Starting to use NeuralDSP plugins recently and you’ll hear that in upcoming tracks! Mostly the Fortins Nameless and Rabea plugins!
Echo Rebel: Were there any unexpected moments, mistakes, or happy accidents during the making of “Where do you end?” that ended up on the final track?
Obelisk: Haha actually in the first verse there’s a lyric mistake. Originally I wanted to say “death do us start, the wheels of hate in your heart” but I said the usual death do us part… good thing I’m not precious or a perfectionist haha.
Echo Rebel: Interesting, this is why I love music. I’ve never really listened to those bands, some Prodigy maybe 20 years ago, but never listened to Royal Blood.
My main influences for this have been a mixture between, Bring Me the Horizon (although everyone needs to stop trying to sound like them), Sleep Token, Electric Callboy, A Day To Remember, and always have to throw in Green Day.
Echo Rebel: Who would win in a fight: your synths or your guitars? (And why?)
Obelisk: Have to go with guitars on this one. The Les Paul has just got the experience in the game, it’s over 20 years old, and it has the 8 string to back it up. Have you seen an 8 string? They’re monsters!
Echo Rebel: What’s your go-to snack, drink, or weird ritual when you’re deep in the studio, working on a new track?
Obelisk: Typically always get a pint before recording or after with Dom! Probably a dying tradition in the music world these days, but there’s a spoons very close to the studio so can say no to a cheap pint?
Echo Rebel: If you could have any celebrity (alive, dead, real, or fictional) cameo on an Obelisk track, who would it be and what would they do?
Obelisk: 100% would have to be Dimebag to lay down a huge solo. Guitar is something I’d love to pick my game up with other time, and if I could bring a genius like that back I wouldn’t have to…
Echo Rebel: What’s coming up next for the project? Any new music, creative experiments, or surprises on the horizon that fans should keep an eye out for?
Obelisk: I will be releasing my first full independent album this December!
It’s a major step and a massive dream come true. As a multi-instrumentalist, I’ve always wanted to write and perform a full album independently and I can’t wait.
Obelisk – Brushed By Darkness
Out in December!
Obelisk: And just a note to the guys at Echo Rebel. The level of detail you guys put into these reviews is incredible. This is the kind of stuff that can really give a struggling artist a shot in the arm. Thank you.
We hope you enjoyed this peek behind the mask of Obelisk! With a full independent album, Brushed By Darkness, set for release this December, it’s clear that Obelisk is just getting started. Be sure to keep an eye on his socials for all the latest updates and prepare yourselves for what’s sure to be another powerful release.
