Orden Ogan - To the End
AFM Records
Power/Heavy Metal
11 songs (54:44)
Release year: 2012
Orden Ogan, AFM Records
Reviewed by Thomas

YES! I have always been very high on these guys. Vale and Easton Hope are probably two of the albums I revisit the most when I’m craving power metal. Hooky riffs, enchanting choirs, folky, catchy melodies that puts a huge grin on your face are some of the characteristics that fits Orden Ogan like a glove. Listening to Easton Hope especially will take you on a journey conquering and plundering and it’s all so damn fun. Needless to say, I really anticipated their upcoming album To the End, looking forward to something to hum shamelessly along to through my everyday journeys.

Just to get it out of the way early, this isn’t as good as their predecessors, which is pretty clear after about a dozen listens. The actual implementation is on shallower ground than earlier, and songs are certainly not as memorable. Forgetful moments aside, lets focus on the positives.

The opening trio (minus the intro) is remarkably strong, possibly as strong as I’ve ever heard these guys with the title-track being a perfect opener. Almost 6 minutes of exuberant riffs are seasoned with Sebastian Levermann´s hoarse yet high-pitched vocal-work that will pull you face-first into trademark chant-alongs and fist-pumping mania climaxing in ripping double leads which, when I come to think of it, I never really expect to hear from these guys. Single The Things We Believe In follows, and even if it’s cheesy, poppy or just too fucking catchy it might just be my power metal song of the year. The chorus is just mind-blowingly catchy, and you’ll find yourself join the choirs even if you don’t want to. Get ready to roll into battle and hit the repeat button, son!

After a dose of speed metal and epic soloing from Land of the Dead, shitty ballad The Ice Kings ensues and brings things way down. Speaking of ballads, I can’t for the life of me understand why every single PM act has the urge to include them on every single album no matter how boring they are. When the chorus hits the only thing I find myself thinking about poking my eye out with a blunt fork.

From here on out, the quality takes somewhat of a nosedive. Till the Stars Cry Out, an askew mix of cool enough speed and power metal, unfortunately overloaded with common chants which really are overdone and just doesn’t fit. The World of Ice aims to be heavier than it really is and although the chorus is good if not great, the rest falls through. Dying Paradise? Same sto.. No actually, pure heavy metal worship so I won’t bitch, but you get the idea.

This is a solid enough release, but Orden Ogan aim for a more mixed up approach here that works in places but never really hits home. Some of the riffs are ace, fast as fuck and the solos are great. Seriously, buy the album for the fucking solos. Or no, wait, buy just the killing songs and you’re good. Until next time gentlemen.

Killing Songs :
To the End, The Things We Believe In, Land of the Dead, Angels War
Thomas quoted 72 / 100
Chris quoted 88 / 100
Other albums by Orden Ogan that we have reviewed:
Orden Ogan - Ravenhead reviewed by Joel and quoted 88 / 100
Orden Ogan - Easton Hope reviewed by Thomas and quoted 86 / 100
Orden Ogan - Vale reviewed by Thomas and quoted 85 / 100
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