Orchid - The Mouths of Madness

I read an article a couple of nights ago about five albums that out-Sabbath the new Black Sabbath album. No surprise that Orchid's 'The Mouths of Madness' was one of those albums. If any album is going to remind you of classic Ozzy era Sabbath, this is it.

Firstly, this sounds, this feels like it is 40 years or so, old. Nothing over the top in production anywhere (*cough cough*). Like traveling back in time and visiting a pub and these guys on stage, black walls for the noise to bounce off, fiery torch lights. Not so heavy, but dark, groovy and catchy in every way.

This has the groove, the licks, the pace and the bounce, and with an array of different tempos that make every song unique and memorable. A seven minute song like 'Silent One' or a six minute one like 'Nomad' never gets boring because of these changes, catchy choruses, memorable lyrics and pure energy from Theo's voice which is fantastic throughout the whole album. Now go and listen to '13' and tell me which album you are over listening to after 20 minutes?

In a year when a new Black Sabbath album is out, you would expect them to lead by example or at least come close. Not saying '13' is a dud, but it is certainly worlds below other stoner/doom albums that have been released this year. 'The Mouths of Madness' is at the top of them all. In actual fact, I hate comparing, but you can't help but think about it. So since we are sticking to that theme right now, I am declaring 'The Mouths of Madness' the 'Black Sabbath album of the year'...

Ikil