Apocalypse Orchestra: The End is Nigh

There are probably hundreds of bands that cross some form of traditional music with heavy metal. Not all of the bands succeed as well as they should, but each experiment provides a new opportunity to rethink what heavy music can do. The biggest challenge is getting the right blend of heavy and traditional so that fans won't just hear familiar melodies punctuated by a strong low end.

Apocalypse Orchestra's take on this combination of new and old is to blend medieval music with doom metal. Like other bands of this sort, Apocalypse Orchestra draws on a variety of instruments, including the hurdy gurdy, bagpipes, the rauschpfeife, and others. The band's overall sound is good and fans of folk metal will likely enjoy their overall sound and style. I enjoyed the album quite a bit. The melodies are haunting and the lyrical themes tackle the problem of human suffering, whether experienced in war, sickness, or death with intelligence and insight. I was hoping for an even stronger doom element, especially after hearing what the band did with it on both the opening and closing tracks. I especially liked "Here Be Monsters," but I wanted even more of that extra edge.

The best thing about Apocalypse Orchestra is their ambition. They create stirring melodies and the songwriting is solid. There are other bands like them but they have a good sound that will give them traction with fans. Their live shows, so I hear, have an immersive quality, thanks to performances by actors, dancers, background animation, and plenty of fire. I'd love to hear more from these guys in the future.

Track Listing:
1. The Garden of Earthly Delights
2. Pyre
3. Flagellant's Song
4. Exhale
5. Theatre of War
6. The Great Mortality
7. To Embark
8. Here be Monsters

Added: August 15th 2017
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1913
Language: english

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