An EP release from Black Orchids comes through with an invigorating set of layers that hit in the form of grunge, heavy-handed alt-rock, deepening and vast metal undertones, and smooth, expansive atmospheres all within a three-song spectrum.
The Calling is an EP that doesn't waste a lot of time setting certain kinds of tones as the title track comes in first and it does so with a blistering riff of deepening and rumbling tonalities and augmented guitar chords overlapping thick, drop-tuned guitars and bass.
Shortly after the riff gives away, you get a flowing soundscape that is atmospheric and almost peaceful in a strange way. It's ethereal and full of soul with a set of textures that swim around in the air that's around you.
One of the things I love most about this song in particular is how it's almost ever-changing. It takes you on an unfolding musical journey and the drumming becomes expansive and inventive. The drums on this track are certainly a driving point of the entire aesthetic.
It's a song that's heavy, and deep but also calm, and engulfing.
So, by the time this first song is over you've been pulled into their world and escaped wherever you are and whatever you're doing.
The following track is called "Radiance" which comes in with overlaying chimes and keys that sit on top of a fuzz-toned grunge-style bass guitar sound.
This is the most ethereal track as it just flows and drifts. It invites you to float alongside and you become washed away with sounds that you're hearing.
The deeper into this track you get the more you notice new instrumentation popping in bringing different melodies and textures to the mix and it all feels amazing.
The third track, "Torture of The Dream" blends these two aspects. It comes in with cleaner guitars and these beautiful vocals that add yet another gorgeous texture and layer to everything you're hearing and at times it feels almost like the vocals are used like instruments.
This is something I adore about the entire record. There are lyrics and the vocals are wonderfully performed with the same kind of theme and aesthetic that the rest of the record and music boasts so, it all falls into place perfectly like pieces of a puzzle but, at times those vocals are like an additional instrument just floating around and creating new melodies and to me it's beautiful.
This track delves into a slightly psychedelic, grungy, Stoner rock type of feel with hints of doom in there but not overtaking.
This track begins in a common place and then becomes sonically driving later.
You really get that ultra fuzz that comes from the instruments and this track is a little bit more experimental and inventive which I love.
Don't get me wrong, this whole EP is experimental and inventive but certain songs go in different directions so that experimentation takes different forms with each new song.
The energy is something that took me by surprise here.
Again, the middle track, "Radiance" is like an interlude.
The other two have this unique intensity with the energy levels. It's almost as if they perform these songs live on the floor, right there, in the moment.
It feels like everyone involved was feeding off of each other's energies the whole time letting the songs feel almost alive and breathing.
This is also attributed to the unique arrangements that these songs have also.
Nothing about these songs is cookie-cutter. These are outside the box and push boundaries in the best ways you can think of, especially when it comes to heavy music.
Everything is still massively melodic, and I love a record you can get a huge amount of heaviness from while having a peaceful flow.
This is an EP that holds strong with both ends of those spectrums.
A beautifully heavy record from Black Orchids, dive right into The Calling.
Do this with headphones on because it's one of the best ways to soak in all the elements happening in the atmospheres of these songs.
You will find this to be a great escape just as I did, I'm sure.
Remember where you heard it first.
SPOTIFY
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