New genre alert! ‘Space Metal’ is the fresh new label being pushed by these UK-based alt-rockers.
Influenced by bands such as Tool and Deftones, Orca’s latest album contrasts planet-sized riffs with softer moments of eerie zero-gravity ambience. Frontman Christian Edwards provides soaring vocals over the top. The result is both atmospheric and hard hitting.
Highlights include lead single ‘Amber’, with it’s plummeting chugging mid-section and epic outro, and ‘Swimming Upstream’, which starts with brooding clean guitars before exploding into a climax of dissonant riffs, including some groovy bass slides.
Each track is well-paced and excitingly unpredictable. Check out the single ‘Amber’ below:
Alternative
metal band, Orca, are releasing their hard hitting album ‘Universe’ and it has
us in awe. Their music gracefully twists and dives through a unique blend of
heavy riffs with disarming melodies, soulful atmospheres and an edge of prog.
‘Amber’ starts the album
off with foreboding sounds which draws you in before the heavy rhythms kick in
hard. The fact that this album is self- produced shows the skills of these
musicians as the track are beautifully layered, really transporting the listener
into the stars with the band.
The strident metal sound of the band is contrasted well by
vocalist Chris Edwards’ Jeff Buckley sounding voice that guides the album
along. The band have live dates in London that are by the sound of the album-
bound to be a real experience not worth missing.
The single
‘Aquarium’ is out now from the album Universe out April 1st
Described as a “cracking band” and praised for their “excellent production values” by music blog Progrockmusictalk, UK-based alt-rockers Orca have proven to be on top of their game. As pioneers and creators of the mysterious domain of ‘space metal’, the five-piece is steadily stepping up to the music industry’s spotlight.
Their fascination with space and discovering the unknown has always been part of their own musical exploration. By fusing melodic experimentation with hard hitting metal riffs, their new single ‘Aquarium’ (taken from the album ‘Universe’) is a muscular track, effervescing with a forthright and speeding energy. As a follow up to the similarly metal infused guitar styles and contemplative vocals of their first single ‘Amber’, this tune is a sensational marvel of progressive rock.
Listen here:
The song came about when singer Chris started exploring the emotions drawn from the cryptic and riddle-like rhythmic arrangement of a demo recording. ‘Aquarium’ is ultimately about desire, beauty, identity, sensuality, and connecting with the power of nature. The video for the single was shot in a real aquarium which the band describes as a “wonderful” and “entrancing” experience. The album is called ‘Universe’ as it was written while the band were travelling separately around the world, with each band member looking out to a different part of the night sky for inspiration.
With influences ranging from Deftones to Tool the band has mastered the techniques of DIY and created a magnificent set of songs with little to no help from other producers. Their music touches upon the deeper questions in life. Orca describes their sound as being about “submission to the awe and power of the world, and the realization and self-actualization levels of awareness and consciousness.” Part of their musical diversity stems from the fact that Orca consists of a colourful mixture of different nationalities. Bassist Matt McGuinness is Irish, guitarist David Vezzoli from Italy, other guitarist Ben Murray-Smith from England but born in Brazil, drummer Kacper "Drum Kid" Stachowiak
from Poland and singer Chris Edwards is British Armenian. Orca’s sound reflects this diversity and has been celebrated by radio stations such as KSCR in Los Angeles and Aaron Phillip’s Amazing Radio Rock Show here in the UK. Musically, they have also come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from psychedelic rock and jazz to heavy metal and synth-pop.
The band has evolved from bassist Matt and guitarist Dave’s previous project called Martian Time Slip which focused more on a traditional darker kind of metal. After the break up of Martian Time Slip the two collaborators embarked upon new endeavours, forming Orca and searching for the perfect vocalist for the band. Chris approached the band with a style that was both unique and enigmatic. They were struck by his powerful voice and his ability to enrich the melodies with passion much like the late Jeff Buckley. Ben joined shortly afterwards while continuing to write songs for famous Vlogger Casey Neistat. The newest addition to the group is drummer Kacper who has had success with his symphonic power metal band Pathfinder.
The single ‘Aquarium’ is out on 4th March from the album Universe out April 1st
Described
as a “cracking band” and praised for their “excellent production values” by
music blog Progrockmusictalk, UK-based alt-rockers Orca have proven to be on
top of their game. As pioneers and creators of the mysterious domain of ‘space
metal’, the five-piece is steadily stepping up to the music industry’s
spotlight.
Their
fascination with space and discovering the unknown has always been part of
their own musical exploration. By fusing melodic experimentation with hard
hitting metal riffs, their new single ‘Aquarium’ (taken from the album
‘Universe’) is a muscular track, effervescing with a forthright and speeding
energy. As a follow up to the similarly metal infused guitar styles and
contemplative vocals of their first single ‘Amber’, this tune is a sensational
marvel of progressive rock.
Listen
here:
The
song came about when singer Chris started exploring the emotions drawn from the
cryptic and riddle-like rhythmic arrangement of a demo recording. ‘Aquarium’ is
ultimately about desire, beauty, identity, sensuality, and connecting with the
power of nature. The video for the single was shot in a real aquarium which the
band describes as a “wonderful” and “entrancing” experience. The album is
called ‘Universe’ as it was written while the band were travelling separately
around the world, with each band member looking out to a different part of the
night sky for inspiration.
With
influences ranging from Deftones to Tool, the band has mastered the techniques
of DIY and created a magnificent set of songs with little to no help from other
producers. Their music touches upon the deeper questions in life. Orca
describes their sound as being about “submission to the awe and power of the
world, and the realization and self-actualization levels of awareness and
consciousness.” Part of their musical diversity stems from the fact that Orca
consists of a colourful mixture of different nationalities. Bassist Matt
McGuinness is Irish, guitarist David Vezzoli from Italy, other guitarist Ben
Murray-Smith from England but born in Brazil, drummer Kacper "Drum
Kid" Stachowiak from Poland and singer Chris Edwards is British Armenian.
Orca’s sound reflects this diversity and has been celebrated by radio stations
such as KSCR in Los Angeles and Aaron Phillip’s Amazing Radio Rock Show here in
the UK. Musically, they have also come from a variety of backgrounds ranging
from psychedelic rock and jazz to heavy metal and synth-pop.
The
band has evolved from bassist Matt and guitarist Dave’s previous project called
Martian Time Slip which focused more on a traditional darker kind of metal.
After the break up of Martian Time Slip the two collaborators embarked upon new
endeavours, forming Orca and searching for the perfect vocalist for the band. Chris
approached the band with a style that was both unique and enigmatic. They were
struck by his powerful voice and his ability to enrich the melodies with
passion much like the late Jeff Buckley. Ben joined shortly afterwards while
continuing to write songs for famous Vlogger Casey Neistat. The
newest addition to the group is drummer Kacper who has had success with his
symphonic power metal band Pathfinder.
The single ‘Aquarium’ is out on
4th March from the album Universe out April 1st.
Prog outfit Amber are making waves with their new hard hitting single ‘Amber.’ Completely self produced a building introduction which draws you in before the heavy rhythms kick in hard.
The arrangement drops layers of drums, guitar and bass in and out to great effect, tied together by the tight, melodic vocal. This dynamic approach keeps the track fresh throughout, and lays down a marker for the excellent production values you can come to expect from Orca when their album hits.
Orca are a cracking band and we’re excited to see what happens next. Amber is out on September 23rd.
