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Orion's Reign: Scores Of War
Orion's Reign - Scores Of War Music Review

Orion's Reign: Scores Of War

Melodic Symphonic Power Metal
4.0/5.0

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Pride & Joy Music
Released: 19.10.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 17.10.2018

Rising from the clutter of the "where have they been" file is Greek metal band Orion's Reign. We haven't heard from these Athenians since 2008's Nuclear Winter. What have they been up to? Mostly releasing singles of heavy metal Christmas songs like Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Deck The Halls, and Jingle Bells. Sounds like the band has been more than a little off point. Nevertheless, Orion's Reign began releasing new, not Yuletide, tunes in advance of their second album Scores Of War, which finally drops this October. The new album features guest musicians including Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth), Mark Boals (Malmsteen), and Bob Katsionis (Firewind).

Orion's Reign Band Photo Click For Larger Image

Orion's Reign

If you have no recollection or knowledge of Orion's Reign or their previous album, don't feel surprised. You're not the only one; this is my first dance with the band. To simplify, Orion's Reign plays symphonic and melodic power metal with the usual musical suspects: strong, near operatic, vocals embellished in choral arrangements, brisk twin guitar riffage joined to epic fiery solos, and a powerful and pummeling rhythm section, with all these thing then wrapped in lavish synth symphonics.

As you would expect from the genre, the result is heavy metal music that is powerful, bombastic, and epic. Moreover, most songs simply break from the gate and rush into a gallop from start to finish. Their are exceptions, yet mostly internal to a song like Gravewalker, The Undefeated Gaul, or Together We March. Some songs, even with the symphonic embellishment, like Elder Blood and Last Stand, sound more like straight up power metal. Yet, Orion's Reign will offer additional subtle nuances to trick you out of their power metal regimen. An Adventure Song has a nice celtic/folk breakdown in the middle. Nostos, featuring Norwegian vocalist Minniva Borresen, offers a metal anthem with contrasting heavy and light parts, the latter featuring a violin. Both Withering Heart, a near ballad, and Ride To War, a power metal epic, develop from light piano. Suffice to say, for grand and bombastic symphonic power metal, Orion's Reign's Scores Of War hits the mark with uncompromising epicness. You may have heard it all before, but if you're a fan, you'll probably love it. Recommended.


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The Bottom Line

For grand and bombastic symphonic power metal, Orion's Reign's Scores Of War hits the mark with uncompromising epicness. You may have heard it all before, but if you're a fan, you'll probably love it. Recommended.

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