Ample Destruction - Orbit Culture's "Shaman"

Orbit Culture’s “Shaman”

November 21, 2021

Consider: James Hetfield sings GOJIRA. If this turns you off, read no further. If you are intrigued, read on.

Orbit Culture’s GOJIRA-inspired death metal has become quite refined since they started in the early 2010s. “Nija,” their 2020 release, has been on my extreme metal rotation. This year’s release, “Shaman,” blew it out of the water, though it was only an EP.

The Duplantier brothers’ influence is no surprise if you spin any of Orbit Culture’s records. They aren’t shy about it. Metallica is another big name for the death metal outfit. Niklas Karlsson’s cleans during “Carvings,” track three off “Shaman,” sounds like a James Hetfield feature. “Strangler,” the next track, continues Hetfield’s haunting.

Every one of the five tracks off of “Shaman” is a monster. Each offers something different. Tying them together is Orbit Culture’s inheritance from Metallica of exhilarating hooks and the crushing weight of GOJIRA. The style this combination of metal stars creates is one I return to often: It’s melodic, thoughtful, and heavy.

I’ve learned my lesson: between Lorna Shore, Orbit Culture, and The Devil Wears Prada, 2021 taught me never to count out EPs. They can be fantastic: all killer, no filler. Destruction this release is; it is more than ample.

Highlights:

• “Flight of the Fireflies:” The first single, this track’s heavy lyrics and heavier music got me excited for this EP.

• “Carvings:” What can I say? I’m a sucker for a huge chorus. (See last week’s installment on Holding Absence’s 2021 album.) It helps that this song is just as heavy as anything on this release.

• “A Sailor’s Tale:” Any album closer makes me nervous; I love to see a top-tier release end perfectly, and Orbit Culture nails it. Woodwinds open the song for a perfect stylistic change, but fear not - this song quickly becomes just as metal as the rest of the EP.