Orthodox – Learning to Dissolve
Release Date: 19th August 2022
Label: Century Media
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Hardcore, Nu-Metal.
FFO: Sanction, I AM, Chamber.
Review By: Ryan Payne
If Slipknot and Knocked Loose had a love child, you would just about scratch the surface of what Orthodox are about. The 4-piece band from Nashville are definitely one of the more exciting bands around nowadays, taking the groovy and edginess of nu-metal and colliding it with the hard, brutal sounds of hardcore, creating a formula that is easily capable of pleasing anyone who is a fan of metal and/or hardcore. Orthodox are set to release their 3rd album “Learning to Dissolve” in mid-August, and it’s definitely an album to keep an eye out for.
As a fan of metal, hardcore and most subsequent sub-genres, “Learning to Dissolve” is the perfect record to listen through. Not 1 song can be so easily compared with another, as Orthodox explore through all aspects of hardcore and nu-metal, creating several ear-catching formulas that kept me on my toes all through the record. Austin Evans, Shiloh Krebs and Mike White have definitely tapped into all their inspirations and made a product that is unique and thoroughly enjoyable to hear. The writing of this record is absolutely incredible, and it’s refreshing to hear a band create something as unique as this album. The vocals remind me a lot of King 810, the aggressive tone in the growls throughout mixed with the nu-metal-esque strained singing/talking could easily see vocalist Adam Easterling being a fitting replacement. That being said, the blend really works for this record, adding a very dark and angry tone that lingers throughout the record. When asked about the lyrical theme behind “Learning to Dissolve”, the band had this to say:
“The whole record Is about growing up and realizing that the things you wanted or the people that you loved when you were young don’t always align with your moral compass as you get older, learning to dissolve is about finding your own way. It’s about coming into your own as a person and deciding what’s right for you. Basically, living in your own solidarity or dissolving in complacency.”
Orthodox signed with Century Media back in 2021, and I can only imagine what this album will achieve with having such a powerhouse label backing them. These boys have proven with this record that they are not messing around and very clearly have the potential to do incredible things worldwide. They’re taking to the stage later this year across the USA, supporting Varials and I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of destruction awaits those poor venues. 19th August: mark the date and make sure to check out this record when it drops. 
(4 / 5)
