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For their third album; ‘Semaphore’, London based trio Black Orchid Empire have gone down the concept album route. Intro track ‘Emissaries’ has a slight tip of the hat to Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, and serves notice that the concept is Sci-Fi related. Kubrick’s masterpiece is a unique movie that pushed cinematic boundaries, it was bold and ambitious; two words that can be used to sum up ‘Semaphore’.
For a trio, Black Orchid Empire makes an almighty sound to fill cavernous venues everywhere. Hints of Biffy here, suggestions of Muse and Katatonia there, all wrapped up with the uplifting melodies of Feeder (‘Natural Selection’ could be Feeder 2020-style). Vocalist Paul Visser has Trent Reznor-like qualities to his vocals, in the sense that even though they can be quite soft, they also have an aggressive edge. The one-two of ‘Motorcade’ followed by the quickfire ‘Red Waves’ being prime examples, special mention to the man behind the kit; Billy Freedom, for his stellar work, especially on the latter.
After another spacey instrumental (‘Heiliopause’), one of the highlights of the album appears in the shape of ‘Winter Keeps Us Warm’. A soft, gentle intro that explodes into a massive chorus just ripe for a festival audience. As the band breaks out the “whoa whoa whoa” vocals it’s easy to imagine some nugget with lit flares in his hands, on his mate’s shoulders, as the cameraman zooms in to get the money shot. But the most enjoyable part about the track is that it constantly keeps the listener guessing about what way it will turn next. The same could also be said of the album itself.
’Semaphore’ doesn’t dial down the “heavy” (‘Death From Above’ is incredible, almost like Jane’s Addiction decided to make a metal record), the guitars sizzle and a modern proggy vibe creeps in at times (especially on ‘Dust’ and ‘Monolith’ where bassist Dave Ferguson is king). The production is incredible, and Billy Freedom must have sneaked into the studio when it was empty and turned the drums up as his sound is immense (‘Faces’ is top-notch).
With genre-mashing bands like Biffy Clyro taking risks and trying out new sounds, there is a gap for a band that can mesh power riffs with soaring hooks, a band like Black Orchid Empire.
‘Semaphore’ is available Friday 12th June via Long Branch Records. Pre-order/save here.
Review – Oli
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FORTHCOMING GIGS/TOUR DATES:
Co-headline tour with Exist Immortal:
29.10. UK, Brighton – The Hope & Ruin
30.10. UK, Bristol – The Old England
31.10. UK, Bournemouth – The Anvil
01.11. UK, London – 229 The Venue
