ORPHEUS OMEGA - Portraits (EP)

ORPHEUS OMEGA

EP: Portraits

Genre: Progressive Melodeath

Release Date: April 20th, 2023

Country: Australia

Label: Self-Released

Band-Links:  BANDCAMP / FACEBOOK

Having already 4 full-length albums and an EP under their belt, April 20 saw Australian melodic death metal act Orpheus Omega unleashing their newest offering “Portraits”, on which every band member contributed one song in its entire vision and execution, and features guest appearances of Andy Gillion (Ex-Mors Principium Est), Björn ‘Speed’ Strid (Soilwork / Night Flight Orchestra) and Jim Grey (Caligula’s Horse) as well as Jukka Pelkonen and Markus Vanhala (Omnium Gatherum).

The songs are as individual as the five musicians behind Orpheus Omega, all varied in their compositions, but nevertheless the EP is a strong unit, melted together by the beautiful, fitting cover artwork and a mighty, yet detailed production. While the basis is clearly high-energetic melodeath with mind blowing riffs, hard-hitting rhythmic and vigorous, harsh vocals, there is still plenty of melody thanks to the virtuoso guitar and keyboard solos and the awesome background orchestration. The clean sung parts deliver a good pinch of catchiness, and you can also find a more modern approach, as they sometimes add electronic or slight core elements. 

All-together, “Portraits” is a short-whiled, vibrant listen, recommended ffo of the genre and beyond.

Written by Katha (originally for The Progspace)