Boston's own Red Temple 9 return with their second single, "Obsidian Tears." This track is loud and roaring, tearing through the databases of repressed emotions. It isn't just an echo of post-grunge, it's a reinvention. "Obsidian Tears" is a lesson in catharsis. From the opening guitar riff, you're drawn into a world drenched in betrayal, darkness, and survival. The sound is dense, a wall of hooky distortion that shimmers with both angst and pain, but also something clearly hopeful. It's hard rock with a heart. Alternative with an edge. Post-grunge with polish and purpose.
Red Temple 9's lead singer intones every line like a confession, cutting through the umbra with a voice that quivers between openness and defiance. He howls and he pleads, and finally he stands up straight. It is in this emotional pendulum that the band finds its identity, where melody meets muscle. There's something groomed and global in the band's sound, which makes sense given that their members hail from Boston, Seattle, and Thailand. In their sound, you hear the echoes of '90s alt legends, but also the fresh ambition of a band carving its own path, one tear-streaked riff at a time.
"Obsidian Tears" is the metaphor for the song. Obsidian, created by volcanic fire, is sharp and beautiful just like this track. It serves as a reminder to us that even when it hurts, there is still power to be found. Even in loss, there's a voice. Red Temple 9 is to scratch the surface, and "Obsidian Tears" confirms that they've struck something for real. It's the type of song you'd roll down your windows and crank the volume to scream while belting along, not because it stays in your head, necessarily, but because it tells a kind of truth.
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