Release
date: April 21st 2017. Label: 11th Dimension Records. Format: CD/DD
Orenda
– Tracklisting
Disdain - Why Am I
Memory - The Drift
Doorway to Clarity
Macrocosm -
Prometheus
Doorway to
Realization
Apex - 100 Year
Dream
The War - Light the
Shadows
Doorway to Ascension
Regret - Sailing
Stones
Homebound - March of
the Trees
Members:
Josh Breckenridge - Guitars,
noise, vocals
Joseph Leary - Guitars,
Programming
Joseph Breckenridge - Bass
John Mclucas - Drums
Review
Greetings all,
This time around I got
to check out the new full length from the band With Our Arms To The
Sun entitled Orenda. I was intrigued, as I knew this record was
produced by Melvins main man King Buzz-O.
To be honest, I was
expecting some sort of AmRep style Noise Rock or Weirdo something or
other but was completely stunned to be hit with 10 tracks of
absolutely killer Post Metal. This Arizona 4 piece brings the goods
on Orenda from beginning to end. Orenda is heavy and melodic, with
anguished lyrics carried by some crushing riffs, immense drums, and a
sprinkling of odd noises that keep every listen fresh.
The album kicks off
with Disdain - Why Am I, the track starts with the sound of an old
school type writer pecking away before kicking in with some heavy ass
riffage. The second track Memory - The Drift is far and away my
favourite track on the album. It is super melodic with some serious
tempo changes.
Doorway to Clarity is
the first of a couple of brief noise tracks on the record. It has an
ambient quality with some quiet spoken word throughout. There were
many times throughout the record that I was reminded of the mighty
Mastodon, in particular the bands Crack the Skye era sound.
Macrocosm-Prometheus is potentially the most Mastodon-esque hitting
the quiet loud dynamic perfectly.
Another amazing track
is the dissonant, piano driven ballad Doorway to Realization. The
brings the post metal fury over the next couple of tracks Apex -
Hundred Year Dream and The War - Light the Shadows. Doorway to
Ascension is a brief spoken word and guitar track that leads in to
the very Tool inspired feeling of Regret - Sailing Stones.
The album closed with
the sound of a cold wind blowing in some anguished screams and
massive guitar and drums of Homebound - March of the Trees.
With Our Arms To The
Sun have delivered an absolutely killer record. It is dark and
beautiful and Heavy and nuanced. Every listen seems to reveal another
fascinating layer not heard on previous listens. Orenda evolves and
never disappoints. The album reminded me of titans like Mastodon,
Tool, and Neurosis. The record is excellently recorded and
masterfully played.
If you are a fan of The
Melvins, Post Metal, or just all around Heavy Music, do yourself a
favour and check out With Our Arms To The Sun.
Words
by Todd Stealey - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou
Thanks to Monica at
Speakeasy PR for the promo. Orenda is available to buy on CD/DD from
Pledge Music from April 21st
2017.
Links:
