UNSUNG PROPHETS & DEAD MESSIAHS

With this 2018 release, Orphaned Land found a good balance between progressive, extreme and folk and even commercial leanings. Compared to their masterpiece Mabool, which this work does not exceed, it is lighter and sometimes more straightforward. On the plus side, it features prominent guests such as Steve Hackett with his lyrical guitar solo. Growls and extreme moments are rare but more prominent then on the last normal band release "All is one". Can we say that the band caught the second wind? Maybe, as there is enough vitality and even new development. Arrangements are closer to progressive metal than even before but elements of progressive rock are evident too, mellotron. Oriental elements are maybe more subtle than on the previous releases but "Yedidi" captures them well without throwing in too many other disruptive genres. Hackett's guitar on the most symphonic "Chain falls to gravity" is pleasant as is graduation of music - this is a lyrical song so no crazy drum fill-ins, riffs or too complex changes. For the fans of extreme metal, listen to "Only the dead have seen the end of war".

I didn't find the album too interesting compositionally in the beginning although I liked it sonically. In the course of time, my opinion has improved even though I think it contains some Orphaned Land cliches or cheesy moments. It is a worthy release by this unique band.