Sir Issac Newton once said “if I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. This quote then found its way into the side of a pound coin before notorious musical cat burglar Noel Gallagher used it to name Oasis’ dismal 4th album.
It’s a metaphor, signaling that individuals build upon the achievements of others. At its core it simply means we are all indebted to the past and those who paved the way. This is never truer than when it comes to music and musicians.
We are all influenced, inspired and encouraged by all the music we love and grew up on.
It’s that mix of ineffable influences that forms that mystery ingredient in bands that is often labeled as chemistry.
How often is it the case that you find out that a member from some hardcore band is secretly a massive fan of Abba or something equally unlikely. Take Dave Grohl who recently admitted that the drum track on Smells Like Teen Spirit was lifted straight from 70s disco band The Gap Band.
It’s those mixes of influence. That chemistry that when it comes together just right, elevates some bands from being just a good band to being next level.
It can’t be manufactured. It happens by pure happenstance.
it’s the same reason why, when key members leave bands and take those influences with them, the band is seldom the same.
Essentially, we are all the sum total of our record collections. The more eclectic your collection, the chances are the more interesting and original your music will be.
Never has this been truer than with a band like ORIA. I would love to know what is in their record collections (let’s be honest probably a Spotify playlist now!)
When listening to This Future Wants Us Dead, I hear a myriad of influences all thrown into the pot. Mixed together to turn out a record that is simultaneously a pounding sledgehammer of hard metal that is capable of reaching ethereal heights of sonic harmony and something totally unique.
There’s the obvious groove power metal of mid to late period Pantera that under pins everything. ORIA wear it with pride and use it here with punishing effectivity.
But into that mix comes a bunch of styles so diverse that it’s hard not to be impressed.
There are shades of everything from early thrash metal pioneers like Anthrax and Megadeth. To Alice In Chains, Deftones, Korn and much more.
Underpinning all of this is a rhythm section that not only pummels like a sixty-foot jack hammer but swings with the swagger of a Jack Daniel’s swigging, chain smoking blues band. The cohesive nature of the guitar, bass and drums displayed here speak to a band locked in step. feeding off each other to create a sonic landscape that demands to be heard.
Alongside this comes vocals from front man Leonidas Plataniotis, who possess a vocal style varied and capable. It straddles many styles and many emotions. One minute guttural the next stratospheric. He even occasionally throws in what can best be described as something reminiscent of Tibetan monk chants. (See track: Clouds of Anatta).
Sure, he can do the throat growl that is the back bone of so much metal these days. But he’s got so much more in his arsenal and he uses it here to perfection.
All this serves to elevate This Future Wants Us Dead beyond the usual non stop blunt force trauma of many of its contemporaries.
Take opening track Metomorphocene. The New From The Shell Of The Old (a title worthy of The Mars Volta themselves!) in between the power growling of the verses comes the harmonic dissonance of the vocals on the chorus. As Leonidas sings “flesh and bone can no longer hold my spirit” it wouldn’t be Amis coming from a Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley era Alice in chains track and it makes for a truly sublime listen.
This leads into track two. Another punishing powerhouse that also grooves so much it’s infectious! I defy you to not find your head bouncing along to its irresistible swing!
From there the tone of the album is set.
This mix of the power and the sublime permeates this album throughout. It’s got guts. It’s got swing. It’s raw and ethereal. It’s fair to say ORIA are band not afraid of a chorus. A band who know instinctively when it’s time to go balls to the wall and when it’s time to make a track soar into the stratosphere.
Strap in, because you’re going on a ride! By the time album closer Slow Down Take A Breath And Bury The World That Was brings proceedings to a close, the title of that track is going to sound more like good advice than the title of a song.
This Future Wants Us Dead is a grinding, grooving, powerhouse that doesn’t disappoint from start to finish.
Described by the band as:
“a conceptual odyssey of progress, destruction, and redemption, delivering an intense fusion of progressive groove metal. Mixed and mastered by Steve Lado for maximum sonic impact.”
I would say that pretty much hits the nail on the head.
It’s an album that after the first listen has gone straight into regular rotation on my playlists.
An album that unashamedly strives for grandiosity. That is reaching for a big sound. An emotional resonance and that wants to leave its mark.
We be may all be Standing on the shoulders of giants. But some, it would seem, are using that platform to tear a hole in the sky and punch god in his celestial nuts!!
This Future Wants Us Dead is out on April 25, 2025.
Reviewed by Jimmy Murphy.
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5
RATING SYSTEM:
- 0 – 1: Fucking shit
- 1 – 2: Shit
- 2 – 3: Not Bad Shit
- 3 – 4: Pretty Good Shit
- 4 – 5: Amazing Fucking Shit
- 5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear
PRESS SOURE: Davide Pulito The Metallist / PR & Marketing for Heavy Music. Contact Website and Email: [email protected]
