Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Orne - The Tree Of Life CD (album) cover

THE TREE OF LIFE

Orne

 

Eclectic Prog

3.52 | 33 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Like fog drifting through the boneyards...

Black Widow Records is one of the few labels which practically creates its own sound genre, they are the purveyors of the "dark" sound, when this album starts you immediately thing of Black Widow. While known for fielding Italian bands across many genres the roster does have talent outside of Italy, and Orne would be one. Orne hails from Turku, Finland, and several members of the project are well known for their participation in the band Reverend Bizarre. Their influences are noted as VDGG, early Genesis, early Floyd, Black Widow, Black Sabbath, Saturnalia, and Wigwam amongst many others, though it should be pointed out that a good deal of the album is much mellower than some of the heavy/hard bands noted above. It has some heaviness but extended mellow sections as well. If you can imagine a mix of "Careful with that Axe, Eugene", "The End," and "The Herald," all processed through a doom-rock filter, you might have an idea what to expect.

The Tree of Life is an intimate album filled with memorable and unique music. I might describe their sound as a slow, atmospheric doom with mellow psych, occasional folk, and retro-heavy prog. Slow, brooding tracks are heavy with classic organ, acoustic guitar, and occasional hard rock chug. The songs are thick with moody, ominous, haunting atmosphere and a damp woodland feel, like some moonlit ritual with Satyrs running around through the brush, chunks of meat smoking on the fire, maidens rife with amulets and spells. A great album to bring to the Renaissance Festival...but I digress. Like their label mates Goad and Jacula, Orne is a band in their own strange world. The vocalist has this thin, odd voice that works perfectly as a master of ceremonies cloaked in long robes. The acoustic guitars lay down beautiful melodies over the organ, very mellow with psych touches, then it slowly builds into a more muscular hard rock with distorted power chords, pounding organ, and fine drumming. But my favorite part of the album is simply the feeling you get listening to the more subdued moments, it's a strange, disorienting, somewhat sinister vibe like you get with Comus or Goad. The album's highlight is the 12-minute "The Temple of the Worm" which has some great alluring flute and melancholic guitar leads, just a fantastic track.

Recommended to fans of the Black Widow Records sound, and those who love retro organ doom-rock with lots of atmosphere. 3 1/2 stars.

Finnforest | 3/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this ORNE review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.