Crimson Orchid-Chapter XIII: Nightmares & Fairytales

2006


Crimson Orchid are a metal band hailing from the Baltimore, Maryland area. Their album Nightmares and Fairytales is based on the idea of death according to the band. That concept is perhaps deceivingly simple because we well know how many different ideas and views can from just discussions of death. The music seems to take a similar approach as the band often begins a song with basic sounds, but they don't rest for long. None of the music here is exactly complex in itself, but it's the arrangements where this band really make their impact. The music is made up of individual parts that may be basic, but not everything is played in time with each other and that is a plus. The vocals and music seem to work off each other and the whole effect is that the band is unpredictable to an extent yet the whole song generally manages to mesh together in the end. The closest comparison I can make is late 1980's King Diamond and although the type of metal here is different, the off kilter musical arrangements are similar. The music generally ranges from melodic almost verging on early progressive and it goes up to some bone crushing near thrash moments as well. I think overall quirkiness of the music and I like that much of the vocals are done clean as many bands doing this music would opt for a gutteral, growling approach. The production is for the most as solid as needs to me. Now the downside, I think they have a little problem keeping the intensity level high throughout some songs. They need to be a little sharper at times and I think that will come with practice if they stick with this same style. The other problem is that the quirkiness and quick cuts in the music can be a little distracting . I think they need to take their time and they can conquer that one as well. Overall a very solid effort from a band who I hope keeps plugging along at what they have started.

http://www.myspace.com/crimsonorchidband