There are few certain things in this world, death, morning wood and metal bands that take the metal community by storm. The latter exactly describes Orbit Culture. From Sweden, vocalist/guitarist Niklas Karlsson, guitarist Richard Hansson, bassist Fredrik Lennartsson, and drummer Christopher Wallerstedt started their ascent in 2013. 5 albums later, Orbit Culture has hit their pinnacle with Descent, a industrial driven chug fest.
If you are new to Orbit Culture, think about disturbing soundscapes, fork tongued vocals and a hell of a lot of groove. On Descent, the sing along chorus are larger than ever. The groove is groovy. The solos are epic. Everything is extreme in the best way possible.
Black Mountain is my favourite track Orbit Culture has ever done. It starts off with a soundscape that sounds like Orc’s ravaging villagers. When Karlsson makes his entrance, think lead Orc with a Wizard’s staff, and an intent to take what he wants from the pitiful villagers. Musically the whirling guitar and big sing along chorus is a delightful blood bath. Technical, chanty, and vicious in a Dungeons and Dragons rated R kind of way.
From The Inside is the next track that stood out for me. There is a clear channel guitar at the beginning that provides the spine to an eventual groove that will entice any listener into headbanging. The bridge of the song feels like Fear Factory with Karlsson’s trademark snarl. The chorus as you might expect has a clear channel sign along part that is simply an ear worm
Vultures of the North kicks in with chunky guitars and a ferocity that reminds me a great deal of Scar Symmetry. The timing patterns of the track are fascinating while the synth behind the chaos sounds is eerie and reminds me of a Rob Zombie movie. The murder scene interlude in the middle of the track is perfect for Halloween. As always, the groove comes back tenfold and blows your head clean off.
So is there anything to not like? Sadly, yes. The production on the record is lacking and there is just so much going on in the music that the mix is a jumbled mess. Distorted bass, big synth, vocals, huge guitars just makes for a crowded mix. My request is for a seasoned producer to help Orbit Culture take them to new heights.
Lastly, the formula of only having clean vocals during the chorus became predictable. Killswitch Engage figured out years ago how to blend blood and wine, I suspect Orbit Culture will figure it out soon enough.
I have yet to see Orbit Culture live and suspect that is where they thrive. There are many layers of sound and technicality in Orbit Culture. Only their live performance could possibly deliver on all of the metal goodness they unleash.
8 out of 10: I would have loved to have done a podcast on this record, as I believe Dave and John would find equal love by descending into Orbit Culture’s murder world.
-Derek
