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Reviews

Orymus — Miracles
(Bandcamp no#, 2015, DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2016-06-20

Miracles Cover art

This one came out last year and seems to have slipped by without getting much attention, which is a shame because it’s a really solid release. This Swiss band has a sound based heavily on classic 70s rock — I hear a lot of Uriah Heep in spite of the lack of prominent keyboards. That’s due to the vocals (both lead and backing) and the guitar tones, plus the way acoustic and electric guitars are combined. Daniel Brönnimann sounds a fair amount like David Byron, with a strong tenor and prominent vibrato, and the layered backing vocals take me back to Demons and Wizards, though the lyrical subject matter is much more down to earth. He has a slight accent to his English, but not enough to mar the impact. The heavier moments roll out some killer riffs, blues-based but not bone-headed, and the interplay between the two guitars (plus additional overdubbed parts) creates a fat, tasty sound that’s infectious; very rarely do we hear metal chugging. There are several acoustic tunes that are really well done, with chiming guitars and sensitive singing. “One’s Last Breath” features an uncredited clarinet backed by acoustic guitars in a really lovely arrangement. When the band’s two sides are combined, as on the track “Another Friend of Mine,” it all comes together, with ecstatic acoustic guitars, strong singing, and beautiful harmony lines from the electric guitars. The final piece of the Orymus puzzle involves the production. It’s clean and clear, with atmospheric touches in the quieter moments. I find Orymus to be a refreshing and enjoyable counter to all the cookie-cutter progressive metal bands and Porcupine Tree clones cluttering the rock world. Give it a whirl!

Filed under: New releases, 2015 releases

Related artist(s): Orymus

More info
http://orymus.bandcamp.com/album/miracles

 

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