March 18, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

German folk/gothic/progressive/power metal outfit Orden Ogan has recently released its eagerly anticipated AFM Records debut Easton Hope. The album is just as epic, if not more so, than the band's past releases, but the band's style is markedly different.

Testimonium A.D., Orden Ogan's first major release, featured a unique gothic brand of power metal that featured choirs and flutes in addition to guitars. Their next release, Vale, sounded a little more mainstream while still maintaining that interesting gothic/folk flavor. Easton Hope contains symphonic and progressive elements, as well as tastes of metalcore. How's that for an interesting brand of metal?

Let me be frank. I have been listening to Orden Ogan for the past five or so years. I was initially drawn to this band because of their creative brand of heavy metal. Listen to the single "Angel's War" for background. I was quite happy with Vale and honestly didn't know what to expect from these Germans next. When the almost nine-minute long single "We Are Pirates!" was posted on Orden Ogan's YouTube channel I knew I was in for a treat. The song, which is a tribute to Running Wild, the now defunct kings of pirate metal, features a choir, awesome pirate-inspired lyrics one would expect from Rock N' Rolf, as well as the added bonus of an over-the-top guitar solo break featuring Majk Moti, formerly of Running Wild!

The rest of the album is equally if not more epic than the sole pirate metal track. The album opens up with a two-plus minute orchestral track entitled "Rise and Ruin", which leads into the epic-yet-fun "Nobody Leaves". This track will surely give you a taste of what to expect on the rest of the album: fast riffing, kick drumming, choirs, synthesizers, sweep-picking, as well as the unexpected metalcore style breakdowns. It's definitely a strong track in its own right.

The remainder of the album maintains the epicness quota while it is also musically sound. Orden Ogan is definitely influenced by Blind Guardian, particularly Hansi Kürsch's vocal style, which vocalist Seeb most likely cites as an influence. Seeb's vocal range isn't as high as  Kürsch's, but the relatively common multi-track vocals help his voice fit the music well. Instrumentally Orden Ogan is definitely well rehearsed. A majority of the tracks on Easton Hope contain key and/or time changes, showing the band's level of musical achievement. Drummer Ghnu handles full speed double bass drumming as well as the occasional funky time signature (see "Goodbye") with relative ease. Riffing is precise, although not always original, but lead guitarist Tobi's solos compensate. The title track "Easton Hope" definitely demonstrates his technical style of playing, while "All These Dark Years" has a nice sweep-picking solo to complement the choir and the piano.

Easton Hope is lyrically diverse. Several tracks are based in fantasy (see "Nobody Leaves") while others seem to be introspective, somewhat depressing pieces. "Through All These Dark Years" has a chorus, aptly sung by a choir, which goes, "Through all these dark years/full of grief, pain, and fear." Beyond the fantastic and the depressing there is of course "We Are Pirates!" which was written to emulate Running Wild. Orden Ogan's focus has expanded far beyond the gothic. Easton Hope is produced expertly, but at the same time it doesn't flow naturally from track to track as past albums have.

Connoisseurs of power metal and/or folk metal should definitely give Easton Hope a listen. Orden Ogan has always been a unique act in the European power metal scene and their latest release has definitely further defined their style.  Easton Hope is an hour-long epic metal journey, albeit slightly disjointed. Regardless, Orden Ogan is a group highly skilled musicians. Easton Hope is bound to make a lasting impression on the legions of metal across the world!

Release Date: January 22nd, 2010
Label: AFM Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Rise and Ruin
2.  Nobody Leaves
3.  Goodbye
4.  Easton Hope
5.  Welcome Liberty
6.  All These Dark Years
7.  Nothing Remains
8.  Requiem
9.  We Are Pirates
10.  The Black Heart
11.  Of Downfall and Decline

Total playing time: 01:05:11

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Orden Ogan - Easton Hope