With 2008's "obZen", Meshuggah moved away from the experimentation of 2002's "Nothing" and 2005's "Catch Thirtythree" to return to the musical style of its previous albums, such as "Contradictions Collapse", "Destroy Erase Improve" and "Chaosphere", while still maintaining its focus on musical and technical innovation. The album loses some of the quick, mathematical rhythmic changes of past releases and the melodic orchestration of "Catch Thirty-Three" and uses "angular" riffs, mid-tempo and common 4/4 beats. The album is a culmination of the band's previous work. Meshuggah decided to self-produce because it sought to retain artistic control over the recording and mixing process.