Release
date: February
28th
2020. Label: The
Company KC.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
II
- Tracklisting
1.New
Ishtar
2.Necromantic
3.Swans
4.The
Ornamentalist
5.Rust
6.The
Last of Me (The Captain)
7.Viper
Diaper
8.Fever
Dream
Members
Jeremy
Isaacson – Guitar
Bryan
Sedey – Guitar
Greg
Koelling – Drums
Review
Orphans
Of Doom are back with their new album – II – and it’s a less
spaced out affair compared to their debut album which made me an
instant fan of their music. Their new album is perhaps more
aggressive and focuses more on a heavier style of Sludge/Doom Metal
not heard on their debut album. Though there is still much to enjoy
here if you’re a fan of the band’s debut album.
II
is another standout album from the band and sees Orphans Of Doom
expand their journey even further down the Sludge/Doom Metal rabbit
hole. The riffs and vocals have a more precise nature to them with
the band also adding a more progressive edge to their overall sound.
Opening
song – New Ishtar – has a groove metal sound driving everything
along with flashes of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal being used for
heavy stylish effect. The song also offers glimpses of Psychedelic
and Spaced Out Noises that shows that the band are more than happy to
revisit ideas first heard on their last album. Though it’s the
heavy grooves and riffs that’s the main attraction here. Perhaps
influenced by early-era Mastodon once again but the band still manage
to play their own blend of action-packed riffs.
Second
song – Necromantic – opens with a fast-paced “Thrash” style
sound with the vocals being more forceful and that’s perhaps down
to the highly volatile lyrics the band have written for this song.
The band do play some wonderfully epic guitar solos on the later
stages of the song which can be quite melodic in places. The
Psychedelic Post-Doom riff the band included towards the end had me
under their spell for a few short moments before returning to their
“normal” aggressive style of music.
Third
song – Swans – carries on the thundering and heavy progressive
grooves heard with a lot more flair and imagination being heard on
this song with the music having a very cool sounding “LOUD v QUIET”
dynamic with the band focusing more on the Progressive Doom Metal
vibe of their overall sound. The song can be too flashy in places but
I believe the band have earned that right to show folks what they can
and they lay down a wide range of impressive sounds on this song
alone.
Fourth
Song – The Ornamentalist – is my favourite song on the album as
it sees Orphans Of Doom add the classic “Thin Lizzy” guitar sound
to the album and when they merge it with their epic style of
Psychedelic Guitar Riffs then I’m taken back to the heavy
atmosphere heard on the band’s debut album. The song is still quite
heavy but the Spaced Out moments is what made me a fan of Orphans Of
Doom in the first place. Musically, this is perhaps the best sounding
song on the album and leaves you wanting more.
Four
songs down and four songs to go. Orphans Of Doom carry on with their
mission in bringing heavy and stylish Psychedelic and Progressive
Sludge vibes with the second half of the album perhaps being even
heavier than the first part. Songs such as: Rust, The Last Of Me and
Viper Diaper – showing that the band have a wealth of different
ideas to impress the masses with.
The
production is excellent that allows the band to try new and exciting
new ideas on this album that all ultimately pay off with Orphans Of
Doom creating another outstanding album to impress the Doom/Sludge
Metal masses with. As their debut album was sadly overlooked in my
opinion. I’m hoping this album allows the band to enhance their
fan-base to greater levels. As these guys richly deserve all the
rewards and accolades hopefully coming their way.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Joshua at The Company KC for the promo. II will be available to buy
on CD/DD/Vinyl via The Company KC from February 28th
2020.
Links:
