ALBUM REVIEW: The Orb – Gorod
French tech-death visionaries GOROD have impeccably blazed their own trail for the best part of two decades. It’s been some time since we have been blessed with new material but as the old adage goes, you can’t rush perfection. The Orb is due for release on March 7th as a self-release and looks to be more than worth the wait.
Chrematheism dishes out frenetic riffing from the off. Sick hooks and powerful grooves join forces in a show of impressive technicality. There is also plenty of melody submerged amongst the assault. We Are The Sun Gods is equally as meticulous. For something as maniacally constructed, it is incredibly clear and every single note can be heard throughout their unrelenting rounds of masterful musicianship. Formidable drum sequences also have their fair share of the spotlight. The Orb throws a bit of an unexpected curveball into the mix. Quirky synths and clean vocals provide an intriguing prospect but don’t worry, there is still a cornucopia of punchy riff work and exemplary lead work to feast upon.
Savitri returns to the more adrenaline-fuelled mindset as hefty shredding leads the way alongside a commanding vocal performance. There is such a captivating flow within this track as it seamlessly mixes serenity with savagery and makes it look like a walk in the park. Breeding Silence ramps the aggression back up with mesmeric riffs unleashed at a blistering pace. Thunderous blast beats hit your ears like waves of seismic force. Victory somehow manages to further up the ante with additional rounds of maddening intensity. The chaotic, hard-hitting instrumentation is exhibited with razor sharp execution.
Waltz Of Shades adopts a more gruesome, grisly demeanour in the initial stages, opting for a slower, more devastating approach. It isn’t long before wild streams of crazy riffing return to the fold. Scale Of Sorrows insists on pummelling the wind out of your lungs with a ferocious onslaught of drum beats. Distinct dissonance and mind bending experimentation take this track through a variety of moods and tones. Strange Days could prove to be the biggest surprise in GOROD‘s arsenal, a cover of THE DOORS like you have never heard before. Masterful tapping sections are interlinked with spooky distorted vocals, undoubtedly putting their unique stamp on this effort in emphatic fashion.
It is without question that there is a plethora of mind blowing talents throughout the ranks of the tech-death genre but GOROD display phenomenal ingenuity that few can contend with. The Orb is daringly inventive and doesn’t come close to becoming tiresome. This kind of style can easily become overwhelming but the French outfit have such a smooth, silky output that it’s simply a joy to exist in the same era as such a forward thinking collective.
Rating: 9/10
The Orb is set for release on March 7th via self-release.
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