If there is one band that owned 2023 in the metal scene, it probably is the Swedish melodic death metal outfit ORBIT CULTURE. 2023 was packed with not only an album release, but also with killer touring packages, and even before the release of their highly-anticipated album, “Descent,” they had a great summer festival season. A few months after their latest release, “Descent,” the band is back with a 3-song EP, “The Forgotten,” released on December 1st, 2023, via Seek & Strike.
The listening experience starts with “While We Serve.” The track starts atmospherically with ambient sounds that function as a brief immersive introduction, while gradually paving the way for the drums to kick in along with distorted guitar. In the background, an almost pulsating electronic sound propels the song forward, creating a dynamic buildup before launching into full throttle. The pace is swift, the intensity is palpable, and from the moment the song took off, we knew it was an instant headbanger. “While We Serve” is the kind of track that can evoke a fury of brutal moshpits during a show; certainly not for the faint of heart. Personally, this song is the EP’s crown jewel, encapsulating both the distinctive ORBIT CULTURE sound while sounding refreshing simultaneously, which is why it feels like the perfect bridge between “Descent” and the EP. Moreover, the song’s chorus and lyrics have been etched in my mind since the first spin.
The second track, “The Upheaval,” contrastingly starts with a very melodic guitar intro that feels ominous, it has a slow pounding rhythm, and around the 1-minute mark, fast guitar riffs and drumming patterns make place for the more mellow rhythms. In the press release, we learned that both “The Upheaval” and “Sound of the Bell” were written as meant to be on “Descent,” but that they were too experimental for the album. This progressive edge that both of these songs have, with the many tempo changes, and interesting sections working along together, is perhaps a glimpse of what we can expect of ORBIT CULTURE in the future and is something to look forward to. The even more progressive “Sound of the Bell,” is perhaps the most experimental offering this EP has to offer and for a proghead, also the most interesting one.
Despite the EP only being three tracks, these are some of ORBIT CULTURE‘s strongest offerings to date and make us look forward to their future!
Tracklist
- While We Serve
- The Upheaval
- Sound of the Bell
Lineup
Lineup
Niklas Karlsson – Vocals, Guitar
Richard Hansson – Guitar
Fredrik Lennartsson – Bass
Christopher Wallerstedt – Drums
Label
Seek & Strike
