THE NEVER ENDING WAY OF ORWARRIOR

For me this is a step back in ORPHANED LAND's discography. I even like the much more straight forward "El Norra" to this one, at least it rocks out more.This is more in the style of "Mabool..." just not as good. And this surprised me because Steven Wilson helps out on keys and he also mixed it at "No-Man Studios". Maybe it's just me but there seems to be an OPETH flavour at times on this one while "Mabool..." just seemed so refreshing and new when it came out.

"Sapari" opens with female then male vocals as it kicks in with that Middle Eastern flavour. Female vocals return. "From Broken Vessels" features keyboards as the sound builds and growly vocals join in. Clean vocals are used here as well. "Bereft In The Abyss" is mellow with reserved vocals. "The Path Part 1" and "The Path Part 2" are my favourite songs on here.The atmosphere and guitar to open as laid back vocals come in sounds great. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes. Female vocals start part 2.Some brief growly vocals then check out the vocal melodies with guitar after 4 minutes. Nice. It kicks in with growls late. "Olat Hatamid" is like a Middle Eastern Folk song to start. It gets heavier and vocals come in after a minute. "The Warrior" sounds like music out of an epic movie with spoken words. Vocals follow but are almost spoken. Not a fan of this. I like the relaxed guitar before 4 minutes and it becomes more passionate before 6 minutes.

"His Leaf Shall Not Wither" has words taken from one of the Psalms. This is a pastoral Middle Eastern sounding tune. "Disciples Of The Sacred Oath II" is uptempo with vocals. Growls follow as contrasts in vocals continue. "New Jerusalem" is mellow with female vocals. Male vocals 2 minutes in as it picks up. Female vocals are back as contrasts continue. "Vayehi Or" is a good song with vocals and almost spoken vocals too. "M I !" is good too with reserved vocals and a melancholic mood. Almost "Damnation"- like. "Barakah" opens with guitar and drums then it turns heavier with growls. Clean vocals follow and spoken words. "Codeword : Uprising" is an all out assault with growly vocals. Clean vocals follow as it goes back and forth. "In Thy Never Endng Way (Epilogue)" has female vocal melodies and male vocals. It settles right down 3 1/2 minutes in with piano.

I'm not connecting with this one at all sadly. 3 stars it is.