EP REVIEW: Shaman – Orbit Culture

Sweden’s ORBIT CULTURE released an outstanding debut full-length last year with Nija and their name is finally starting to be on the lips of those who love heavy metal. Their combination of thrash and melodic death metal has impressed worldwide and they are making sure they keep the momentum rolling with a new five-track EP, Shaman, before they start writing for the full length follow up.   

Throughout Nija the band were commended for their seismic choruses, powerful drums and lightning riffs. This EP takes the blueprints that Nija laid out but focuses the songwriting on how the tracks would translate live. Guitarist and vocalist Niklas Karlsson is quoted as saying: “We want to be a band able to run around the stage and invite people to the show and connect that way, rather than standing in one place and sweating over weird guitar patterns and what not.”   

Mast Of The World opens proceedings ominously, with the riffs slowly building into a filthy groove until it erupts into full-scale bedlam. The blasts hit rapidly with Karlsson‘s imposing growl overhead. In what is now already expected from ORBIT CULTURE, a colossal chorus lies in wait and it doesn’t disappoint. An organ plays as the vocals soar. Fans of James Hetfield will recognise the influence in the clean singing. The unmistakable ‘Yeah-ahh!’ style which was present throughout Nija is as strong as ever and fits the music perfectly.   

Just when you think they’d already nailed the best chorus on the EP, in comes Flight Of The Fireflies. It’s a heroic and powerful piece of music that may well boast their best chorus to date. The heavy yet melodic riffs can be likened to those of AMON AMARTH and stand tall from beginning to end. The horn section in the background just adds to its extravagance.   

The tribal rhythms of Carvings will no doubt be a live favourite to mosh to and its chorus will be an easy chant opportunity for festival revellers. The drum work here is exceptional from Christopher Wallerstedt, who impresses throughout. When the band said they wanted to appeal more to live audiences, this is exactly what was needed. It doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of heaviness but it’s got that bounce and groove that you’d expect from a metal band trying to break into arenas. The same goes for the track Strangler. This track could have easily been on METALLICA‘s The Black Album. It’s catchy, it’s heavy and it sounds massive. But just when you think you know how it’ll end you’re hit with a hulking breakdown that leads into a killer solo.   

Ending the EP is the longest track on the record. A Sailor’s Tale starts off as if you were at the helm of The Black Pearl before breaking into another brilliant rapid-fire riff. Another herculean chorus awaits and is home to one of the biggest sing-along moments in the band’s catalogue. The addition of the strings adds extra beauty to the brutality. That is until the destructive conclusion makes sure you headbang through its final moments.   

Shaman is a perfect example of restructuring your craft for mass appeal without an inch of selling out. It’s a showcase of incredible songwriting talent, and hopefully one that will open doors for ORBIT CULTURE to eventually be headlining festivals in the near future.   

Rating: 9/10 

Shaman is set for release on September 24th via Seek & Strike. 

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