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In the current world that gives us great new bands every day, you have to be really special to stand above the rest, and every now and then a proper modern sensation comes along that is ready to break the status quo. Success is not always instantaneous and in the case of Swedish powerhouse Orbit Culture, it might have taken ten years and a meticulous grind, but their latest masterpiece Descent will certainly shortlist them as one of the hottest modern bands on the planet for 2023. The result of their unconcealed love of past music traditions, but also their profound understanding of present trends, this is an album that has all the markings of a future classic that is bound to make noise in the years to come.
With a promising debut in 2013, it wasn't until the bone-crushing EP/LP cycle of Redfog (2018), Nija (2020), and Shaman (2021) that we saw the face of the unstoppable juggernaut Orbit Culture would inevitably become. In case you have somehow missed their gradual ascent to fame, think of a thunderous blend between the Swedish melodeath heritage of At The Gates, In Flames and Amon Amarth, relentless groovy instrumentation à la Gojira, Lamb of God and Pantera, and the trash legacy of Metallica, and if this still doesn't sound promising, then just listen to the lead single 'Vulture of North' in all its glory.
I might have dropped some very big names above, but the fine Swedish gentlement in Orbit Culture stand for themselves as loud, proud, and confident as those who inspired them, a modern outfit that is not afraid to be influenced by the past, borrow and shape it to their liking in order to create a sound that is uniquely theirs and immediately recognisable. Crushing guitar riffs and frenzied drumming aside, Orbit Culture are fantastic songwriters and understand very well that the all-time metal greats offer not just outstanding grooves and earth-shattering growls, but also memorable melodies and anthemic choruses.
I can shower Descent with flattery for days, but outside of the music, lyrics, and brand of Orbit Culture, the boys have also done a phenomenal job in establishing themselves as an unforgettable live act. Being selected as a support for In Flames' and At The Gates' co-headline European tour last year alongside Imminence, as well as appearing on just about every major metal festival speaks volumes, but you have to experience their shows first hand to really fall in love for life. They are also one of those that even now, ten years and many listeners into their career, tend to hang around the bars and merch stand in all venues as one of the many statements of their admirable dedication and gratitude
Above all else, Descent is written and executed to perfection, hitting the right balance across all aspects, be it its song order and length, the variety in Niklas Karlsson's vocal delivery, the right distribution of riffs and melodies, or even Seek & Strike's conservative yet extremely effective marketing campaign that shared only two singles ahead of the album release. You cannot fault a record that boasts monumental tracks like 'Black Mountain', 'The Aisle of Fire', 'Descent' or the epic Metallica-esque 'Through Time', and shows no weakness or hesitation from start to finish, but if there is one track that perfectly sums up its colossal sound, stature and future impact, it has to be the anthem 'From The Inside'.
Every now and then a metal band from Sweden comes along and takes the world by storm. Whether Orbit Culture becomes the next big international Scandinavian export remains to be seen very soon but their latest Descent has all the markings of a milestone record for the entire scene in Europe and beyond. A proper faultless AOTY material, it will take another stellar effort to take its rightful place at the top of 2023's top releases.
Oh, and BEWARE OF THE ANTLERS!!!
Orbit Culture - 'Descent'
Country: Sweden
Released: 18 August 2023
Label: Seek & Strike
Tracklisting:
1. 'Descending'
2. 'Black Mountain'
3. 'Sorrower'
4. 'From The Inside'
5. 'Vultures of North'
6. 'Alienated'
7. 'The Aisle of Fire'
8. 'Undercity'
9. 'Descent'
10. 'Through Time'
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