Although members hail from areas such as Poland and Hungary, new Small Stone Records signing Obiat base themselves in London where they?ve lived and operated for nearly a decade. With two prior independent records under their belt — 2002?s Accidentally Making Enemies and 2005?s Emotionally Driven Disturbance — the four-piece joins the Small Stone roster heralding the quizzically-titled Eye Tree Pi, which proves to be as deep a foray into post-metal as their new label has yet to make. Fortunately, drummer Neil (no last name given) restrains himself from that insistent and oh-so-telling Isis snare pattern that seems to infect every other record in this genre. For that alone, Obiat were worth signing.

Obiat seem to have sold their souls at the crossroads between YOB, System of a Down and more basic, guitar-driven post-metal. There?s ambience a-plenty, but like in the extended trio of opening tracks, ?Poison Thy Honey,? ?Delights? and ?Serpents? Rights,? most of the atmosphere comes in the form of changing volumes and quiet parts from six-stringer Rafa Reutt and bassist Alex — ?Passive Attack? aside. Vocalist Laz Pallagi follows the songs wherever they lead him, and keeps a clean tone almost entirely throughout, carving another niche for the band since so many of their ilk are fronted by either their guitarists or other screamers. He goes as far in ?AA54089? as to throw in some latter-day Hansi K?rsch sans layering-style acrobatics among his other shouts and wails.

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