Orbit Culture know how to groove and how to rage. They might have picked up a couple of tricks on their tour with melodic death metal progenitors In Flames, but it’s clear they are their own act. In addition to touring with genre greats, the Swedish death metal outfit are wrapping up another tour with Trivium, and in 2019, they toured with Rivers of Nihil. In addition to touring with metal giants, they also won over crowds at major festivals like Download and Bloodstock. How did they do that? Pull up a chair, drop the needle on Descent, and listen.
From the first moment, it is clear this is a band that has history. From 2020’s breakthrough album Nija, to the short but excellent EP Shaman, to the back catalogue of Odyssey, In Media Res, and Redfog, this group has carved a place for themselves in melodic death metal and they are here to stay. Their first few albums helped them develop a sound and a static lineup. Nija introduced their current sound to the world to critical success. Shaman further developed their sound with more symphonics and melody. Now, finally, Descent brings the gospel of Orbit Culture to the masses.
“Descent brings the gospel of Orbit Culture to the masses. ”
The ambient opener slowly builds to the explosive second track. Orbit Culture have always grooved like few other bands out there, and “Black Mountain” is a straightforward, certified melodeath rager. Almost instantly, however, the Swedish metallers switch it up with “Sorrower” – though this is not the sound of an uncertain band; it is the sound of a seasoned band that knows exactly how to keep the listener engaged for three-quarters of an hour. “From the Inside” lets the guitars of Niklas Karlsson and Richard Hansson shine, while “Alienated” provides groove masters bassist Fredrik Lennartsson and drummer Christopher Wallerstedt time to show they’re tighter than TIG welding.
Wielding wailing strings and an arpeggiated opening, “The Aisle of Fire” brings back the grandiosity of “A Sailor’s Tale” from their 2021 EP Shaman. After seven melodeath tracks, Orbit Culture know it’s time to switch up the formula a bit. Behold: Swedish melodic death…core? Fear not, however: this is not 2007 MySpace music again. It is still thoroughly melodeath, but halfway through, Orbit Culture drop a brief, heavy breakdown that works surprisingly well.
“This is the sound of a seasoned band that knows exactly how to keep the listener engaged for three-quarters of an hour. ”
Not content to add just hardcore elements, Orbit Culture toss in industrial flourishes to the eponymous track to great effect. Health x Orbit Culture collab in the future? Regardless, the Swedish metallers continue with a more open song, featuring few growls and a lot of introspection. Delightful polyrhythmic interplay between the guitars and drums and a solo to die for close their epic fifth album.
It’s impossible not to headbang during Descent. It’s a rifftastic, groove-filled album. Unfortunately, the songs on Descent tend to leave the brain immediately upon the needle’s ascent. The listener finishes with a wholly positive impression, but the individual songs tend to stick to the vinyl rather than the synapse.
Descent is still an excellent listen, even if it leaves the listener wondering how any particular song actually sounded. It’s got tracks for everyone: powerful ragers for the moshers and cool grooves for the headbangers in the back. Local stocks of neck braces are sure to be depleted after this album comes out. Orbit Culture are a well-overdue force to be reckoned with.