Blackwater Drowning Obscure Sorrows Review

March 1, 2026
The cover of a game called the renfields

Blackwater Drowning

Obscure Sorrows

Nuclear Blast Records/Believe

2026

 

BLACKWATER DROWNING is a five-piece US melodic death metal/metalcore band from North Carolina. Forged by singer Morgan Riley and guitarist Jeremy Bennett, the band is completed by guitarist Ron Dalton Jr, bassist Aria Novi, and drummer Aamon Dalton. Since the band’s inception, BLACKWATER DROWNING has recorded two EPs and a debut album (Sonder//Satori) and has supported iconic acts such as Soulfly, Jinjer, Crypta, and many others. The band is now set to unleash Obscure Sorrows. Mixed and mastered by Cryptopsy guitarist Christian Donaldson (Shadow Of Intent, Suffocation, Ingested), the album features guest solos by Greg Burgess of Allegaeon and Japanese guitar virtuoso Yo Onityan as well as stunning album art by Giannis Nakos (Emperor, The Agonist, Aborted).

 

Now that you know a bit about them, let’s dive into the album. We open heavy, which is to be expected. I was lucky enough to not go into this band fully blind as I’ve been listening to them for a while now. The Sixth Omen is heavy and paints a good idea for the album in store! Knowing that they took a different approach to this album also had me excited. Most bands will take pieces of demos or riffs and attempt to place them together to make something. This go around, the band sat down together and made something organically.

 

I truly feel like them sitting down and writing it collectively was the way to go. I was greeted with heavy riffs, beautifully placed synths and orchestral moments, great lyrics and the band ability to put so much emotion into every song. Everything from the guitar solos, double bass and the occasional softness of Morgans voice lends itself to an album worth listening to repeatedly.
 
I will go out on a limb and say this is their best album to date. I’m excited to see what they do with this when they perform live, which if you haven’t seen them what are you waiting for? If you’re in the mood for haunting vocals, growls and a devilishly good time, I’d say to give this album the love it deserves.

~Rook

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