Orbit Culture – Shaman
Release Date: 24th September 2021
Label: Seek & Strike
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Genre: Melodic Death Metal
FFO: Trivium, Metallica, Architects.
Review By: Trina Julian Edwards
Following on the heels of 2020’s critically-acclaimed, Nija, Swedish metal giants, Orbit Culture, explode back onto the scene with their new EP, Shaman. The boys from Eksjö have gifted us five songs bursting with the heavy riffs and tasty grooves we know and love, but with a more live-focused vision to facilitate a connection with their fans. The current lineup of vocalist/guitarist Niklas Karlsson, guitarist Richard Hansson, bassist Fredrik Lennartsson, and drummer Christopher Wallerstedt continue to innovate, and in Shaman, they have laid the groundwork for the band’s next evolution.
Straight out of the gate, Mast of the World is a furious, mosh-inducing beast. Karlsson growls like a demon from the pits over a straightforward death metal groove, followed by huge, gothic, pipe organ melodies and a gorgeous orchestral lead-up to a nasty, thumping outro.
Next up is the first single from the album, Flight of the Fireflies, and it’s an undeniable highlight of the EP. The opening riff is as hooky and heavy as anyone could ask for, while the symphonic elements add weight and importance to the beautifully balanced, singable chorus. The unexpected masterstroke, however, is a crushing breakdown at the close of the track, and it’s exactly the resolution we didn’t know we needed.
Carvings is another force to be reckoned with. This track showcases exactly why Orbit Culture are the masters of booming rhythms that are not only heavy, but incredibly memorable as well. Karlsson’s growls are always top-notch, but the cleans here really serve to punctuate the variety of textures spanning the rest of the track.
The final two tracks of the EP are no less compelling. Strangler has the lively feel of an old-school banger- a little bit thrash-y, a little bit shred-y- with an aggressive, driving beat that makes it impossible to sit still. The finale, A Sailor’s Tale, is an epic chock-full of sea-faring lore with a huge chorus that practically requires a sing-along. There’s no doubt this song will be a fan favorite in live settings.
Overall, Shaman is an exceptional follow-up to Nija and it should not only please old fans, but also attract scores of new ones. Each of the five tracks is an infectious groove-fest, and the album has a wonderful flow that should serve the band well in live settings. With this release, Orbit Culture takes a step closer to becoming one of the biggest names in metal today. 
(4.5 / 5)
