Orne - The Conjuration by the Fire

April 27, 2009

Reviewer: M.J.

The essence of Orne has been around since 1997. Originally the band was known as Mesmer and then in 2002 they had a change of heart and adopted the name of Orne. Though the name of Orne may not be that familiar to many metal fans per se, its members are fairly well known in the underground as being part of the band Reverend Bizarre. For their debut release, The Conjuration by the Fire, the band has pulled out all the stops to assault our ears with an incredible mix of progressive rock, hard rock, metal and elements I am still trying to find a name for. The amazing thing is that it all works. These fairly seasoned veterans have struck out on a new path and have succeeded brilliantly.

The album begins with “Into the Vault”, an instrumental track of sorts with an ominously delivered spoken word passage (Patrick Walker of Warning reading from “The Key of Solomon the King”) that gives way to the quiet sounds of a crackling fire (campfire?). This segues into soft plaintive acoustic guitars and is soon joined by synths and a Hammond organ accompanied by male vocal “ahhs” reminiscent of those employed by Empyrium and Gregorian monks. Finally it ends, rather eerily, with a “warping” of sound that almost seems to be homage to the tension building interludes in the 1979 cult classic NY street gang film “The Warriors”. At times, that film has been compared to Homer’s The Odyssey and like its hero, Odysseus, we find ourselves about to embark on a journey of epic proportions, full of breathtaking sights and sounds.

As if on cue, the following track, “A Beginning”, seduces us with a mellow saxophone intro and lyrically begs us to, “Come and follow me, let the river guide us to the shore…” “A Beginning” and “Anton” are adorned with lush orchestration and floating melodies complemented by harmonic guitars and bass heavy drums. These dusty melancholic tomes are interwoven with a smoky saxophone and delicate flutes that beckon the listener into the realms of devastating pathos and preternatural longings.

The progressive rock nature of this album is unmistakable.  The beauty, though, is that it is flexible enough to draw from other genres as necessary. Some of the best moments are quite inspired as if Black Sabbath cast a shadow across a room or Jethro Tull and King Crimson danced by an open window or the mighty Zeppelin were adrift somewhere in the sunny blue sky above. All of these influences (if you will) wonderfully culminate and explode into the stunning “Island of Joy”. I’m just going to say that it is “joytastic” and leave it at that. I don’t really have an interest in dissecting something that should be allowed to retain its incredible beauty and mystery.

“Island of Joy” is only the beginning of a set of very strong tracks that lead to the end of this remarkable and brilliant album. “Frontline Dreams” with its jarring lyrical portrait of war on the frontlines, spends the first three quarters reflecting on loss and futility that evolves into an ending punctuated with anger and frustration. Of thematic similarity, “Opening by Watchtower”, laments and yet derides the desire for guardian angels as our guides through life’s roughest times with a musical ebb and flow that mirrors the range of conflicting emotions. This all leads to the tour-de-force of “Lighthouse”. A track that embodies it’s namesake by conveying a sense of security and safety but ultimately  and cleverly twisting upon itself by shedding light on it’s true nature - a Siren, shrieking and luring the unwary into turbulent waters of dire consequences.

Orne have crafted a complex album of layers and aural audacities that no one should avoid in partaking at least once in their life. Albums like this are very rare so without hesitation, throw yourself into The Conjuration by the Fire and you will see a phoenix will arise from your ashes.

Release Date: November 13, 2006
Label: Black Widow Records

TRACK LISTING

1. In The Vault
2. A Beginning
3. Anton
4. Island of Joy
5. Frontline Dreams
6. Opening by Watchtower
7. Lighthouse

Total playing time: 48:24

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