ORPHEUS OMEGA – Emberglow
Reviewed by: Shell Dahlia
Review Score: 7.5
Hailing from my hometown, Melbourne, Orpheus Omega have been unleashing their melodic death metal, making their mark on the metal scene, since 2008. Their first release was an EP titled ‘So it Begins’ under their previous name ‘Orpheus’ gaining them traction which led to them to open for Amon Amarth in 2009.
In 2011 they released, under their current name, a highly acclaimed full length album titled ‘Bleeding The Way’ where they really started to showcase their talent as a band. Lyrically it reflects the feelings of ‘galloping head first into the variations of human anguish and suffering upon the back of your trusty steed’ by the album’s uplifting melodies, powerful blast beats and riffs.
In 2013, Orpheus Omega released their second full length album ‘Resillusion’ which carries the same themes of human shortcomings and suffering but displays a new level of technicality instrumentally and a blackened sound to the vocals. This album has to be one of my favourites from these guys.
They demonstrate with their third full length album ‘Partum Vita Mortem’ that they are a force to be reckoned with in the death metal scene. The addition of enhanced production, faster beats and electrifying riffs create shock waves, gaining the band attention of fans and musicians locally and abroad. Their fourth full length album signifies that they have really come into their own and are comfortable with the unique sound that is Orpheus Omega.
They have now bestowed upon us their fifth full length studio album entitled ‘Emberglow.’ Opening with familiar dramatic production then breaking into the melodic death metal Orpheus Omega uniqueness we all know and love. The vocal harmonisation makes your hairs stand on end but then steer you down a different path of a more subdued rock vocal sound.
These vocals make the album take on a more user friendly sound but still embodies the heaviness found on previous albums making it a versatile album appealing to heavy rock fans and the OG metal fans. The blackened gutturals are balanced out with melodic vocals which sparks feelings of nostalgia. The keyboard adds enchantment to the album, setting that melodic death metal ‘story telling’ feel into overdrive, creating the perfect stage for the fantasy themed lyrics.
There are several tracks on this album that embody that medieval power metal sound, such as ‘Star Maps’ and ‘Marionette’ that really get me going. Tracks like this have heavily impacted my high rating for this release.
Although this album may broaden their target audience horizon, I am more of a fan of their earlier work which is predominantly heavier. In saying that, it is still a great amalgamation of songs which take you on a magical and mystical journey, all in all a solid release from this highly respected death metal act that will surely gain a new wave of fans. I couldn’t be prouder of how far these local legends have come and how hard they have slogged and hope they continue to make their musical ventures shine brighter than the Sirius Star.
Emberglow
We Were Kings
Emberglow
Atomizer
Destiny Machine|
The Tangle
Star Maps
Marionette
The Collector
Paper Dreams And Concrete Walls
Bound To Apathy
Orpheus Omega is:
Vocals & Lead Guitar – Chris Themelco
Guitar – Luke Ashley
Keyboard – Campbell Hill
Drums – Matt Themelco
Bass – Leon Monaco