Orphaned Land
Mabool
Century Media
Krista G.
Orphaned Land have not recorded anything for seven long years, and have come back with a concept record dealing with the “great” flood that cleanses the earth of all that is corrupt, purifying the land. It should be noted that “great flood” stories are not limited to just the Christian bible, many cultures have such a mythological ideologies. Through these stories the band created new champion’s, the three sons of Seven. Three comprises the different religious sects native to the Israeli region. The message is to find peace with enemies so that blood won’t be shed on holy land. Blood has being shed, so The Great Flood comes because of mans sinful ways, the wrath of God, building the ark, the flood itself and resurrection of life in a new land. The present situation in Israel mirroring a religious theory of the great flood. This is a black and white juxtaposing and linking of the past to the present. This is a preservation of a culture as well as concept record. I should note that Kobi Farhi [vocalist] was arrested while singing and recording a prayer song at the Taj Mahal, since it was forbidden. Little girls singing in the street, musicians on the streets of India, usage of native guitars like the oud. There are snippets of sounds of these musicians real lives massaged into the songs, here and there. Piano’s, cello’s, violin’s, and many oriental and middle eastern guitars. I didn’t recognize some of the languages used, but it’s predominantly sung in English; portions are in Arabic, Latin, Hebrew, and some form of language that the band created themselves.
The vocals are sung with angelic devotion in the “clean” sense, there’s snarls that are nearly a black metal touch, and barks of death metal style. There’s spoken pieces, whispered fervor, singing in a hymnal approach, forceful chorus moments. Any or all of these may be in English, Arabic, Latin, it’s all mixed depending on the story line in each chapter of the songs as they progress in the story. Drumming is restrained, but perfect touches flourish; mini blast beats opposite hand beaten drum sounds, all mixed to the back. The guitars when metal, flat out kill, making emotional guitar solo’s, crunch when needed; however there are gentle acoustical passages, dual harmonies and heavy rhythms with some distortion. Song arrangement is strong and decisive, but placed in a black and white sense. There is a deliberate effort to crush one second, and lift upwards the next; the soft and harsh dynamic shifts within the songs. Having said all that, the disc is heaviest at the beginning, and lightens up as it progresses. It’s not recommended that you “crank” this one up, or use headphones initially. The song arrangement is so fucking complex, you’ll lose your mind trying to keep up with everything that’s coming at you. All mixed with metal passages, acoustical guitar sections, orchestration, male and female chorus parts. You cannot predict what will happen next, and a transition might occur in 5 seconds, or 20, then another passage that’s nearly 45 seconds, 10 second interval, or two minutes. Highly volatile.
Having mentioned the erratic song structuring, I sat with the headphones and listened to a random song, “Kiss of Babylon” (The Sins) and simply counted the different elements [just to illustrate a point] that this one song contained. Vocal overlays, voices, guitar work, drumming, languages, keys, solo’s, rhythm work, etc. I came up with the number 67, and I know I lost count. That’s how complex and encircling this is, and imposing. Track 9, “Calm Before the Flood” is a complete opposite. Tender acoustical guitars create beauty, sparse with simple intensity. Halfway through the song it’s accompanied by very light keys, and a female calling out, winds and rain eventually erase her. This song only contains 9 distinct elements. Something to keep in mind.
Track Listing:
1. Birth of the Three (The Unification)
2. Ocean Land (The Revelation)
3. Kiss of Babylon (The Sins)
4. A'salk
5. Halo Dies (The Wrath of God)
6. Call to Awak (The Quest)
7. Building the Ark
8. Norra el Norra (Entering the Ark)
9. Calm Before the Flood
10. Mabool (The Flood)
11. Storm Still Rages Inside
12. Rainbow (The Resurrection)
As you can see the songs follow the Great Flood. The vileness of mankind, The wrath of God, the quest, the disaster, then eventually man finding his way to start life anew. The music matches each action perfectly. I cannot even attempt to do my typical song by song analysis of this.
Brutal Truth: Incomprehensible, overworked Fiasco? Or Brilliant, colossal masterpiece? You’d have to judge for yourself, but this disc takes time and your full attention. You have got to be patient with this disc, let it’s harshness, and beauty unfold. Looking for crunch and blasts, you’ll find sporadic touches. It’s very engrossing after you sneak up on it. On the flip side of having said that……I am not ever going to kiss this bands ass, no matter how great every one says they are. I truly respect these musicians, for their caliber, but also for the risks they’ve taken to make music. However, I have had this disc shoved down my throat as the next best thing since bottled beer. I admit I was predisposed to disliking this. And I did hate it when I had my headphones on. With a passion! I was smothered, suffocated, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t absorb anything, since everything was coming at me at warp speed. Overworked, overwrought, bombarding me endlessly. Cranked I hated it with intoxicating repugnance. And there lies the rub. Love and hate are fine lines. And I have grown to like it more with every listen (low volumes), and one day I may love it. But that would require at least 100 listens, and I’m not even halfway there, because I still occasionally feel smothered by it. I know that this is “amazing” like everyone says, and that’s on a reviewers level. I freely admit that. However, as the listener I have a will and mind of my own, and Mabool won’t let me use it. The music stands alone, by itself, shoving me out of the way.
* * * 1/4
