Released by: Seek & Strike
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Metal
Links: https://www.orbitculture.com/
Line Up:
Niklas Karlsson
Richard Hansson
Fredrik Lennartsson
Christopher Wallerstedt
Tracklist:
01. Descending
02. Black Mountain
03. Sorrower
04. From The Inside
05. Vultures Of North
06. Alienated
07. The Aisle Of Fire
08. Undercity
09. Descent
10. Through Time
Orbit Culture, a Swedish musical group previously unfamiliar to me until we covered Avatar a few months ago and they we’re billed as the openers (we became fans real quick), presents their fourth extended musical project titled “Descent,” comprising 10 tracks with a total runtime of 48 minutes. This album is made accessible through the Seek & Strike record label. Before delving into this review, I took a step back to revisit their prior album, “Nija,” which is currently regarded as their magnum opus.
Let’s delve into what we encounter here. The initial track, “Descending,” is instrumental in nature. “Black Mountain” gradually builds in intensity, commencing with noticeable background effects and a weighty sonic presence. Niklas delivers robust vocal performances, and the clear vocals consistently shine. “Sorrower” once again blends clean and guttural vocal styles, showcasing remarkable moments in both the guitar riffs and the intensity they convey. “From The Inside” commences with clean chord progressions that gently envelop the listener. Although the guitar riffs possess a substantial heaviness, they do not rush through certain segments, and the composition features continual shifts. “Vultures Of North” offers swifter percussion and an engaging guttural performance that encourages fervent response. This composition is particularly infectious and adorned with effective sonic enhancements.
“Alienated” boasts an incredibly potent percussion section, and one consistent element that has resonated with me throughout the album is the commanding guitar sound. Nevertheless, my reservations lie with the clear vocal delivery within this specific track. “The Aisle Of Fire” provides listeners with a brief moment of reprieve, maintaining a formidable sound without accelerating the tempo. Unlike the preceding track, the clear vocals in this instance are more satisfying. “Undercity” ranks as one of the less intense compositions on this album. However, toward the culmination, there are instances of rapid drumming and melodious chord progressions. We arrive at the central track, “Descent,” which adheres to a similar trajectory. A noteworthy distinction occurs during a segment where the music undergoes a dramatic breakdown, introducing melodic elements before culminating with unbridled intensity. “Through Time” begins gracefully with understated vocal inflections and clean chord sequences, providing a refined conclusion to the album, with the clear vocals taking the lead role.
Orbit Culture retains their established musical identity in “Descent.” It is a consistently well-executed work that consistently delivers, yet it falls slightly short of surpassing their prior magnum opus, “Nija.”
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 7/10
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