Band : Orden Ogan
Album title : Vale
Label : AFM Records
Distributor : Rock Inc. - Bertus
Release Date : 12/11/2010
Release : CD

The name of this band was not unfamiliar to me, but it’s the first time I actually heard one of their, so far, three albums.  They’re a German band, playing (melodic) Power Metal, but at times with a dose of folk mixed in.  Some apparently call them Blind Guardian successors.

Musically this all sounds very good, lots of tempo changes, good vocals, with also some prog elements shining through at times. Keyboards to me streem an element that cannot be missed in their style of music, although lots of other instruments or sounds are also incorporated.  At times the songs have a penchant to become bombastic, but it’s not overdone. Whereas I really liked this album, some of you might be disappointed.  This is probably due to the fact that this type of metal is not easily chewed.  It took the band 12 years to reach this sound, and therefore this music is the kind of music that only gets to you after a few spins.  It’s rather complex and these are definitely not sing along songs. Yet another band I’ve discovered.  I’ll be looking out for their next release.

90/100

Erik Morren.