ORDEN OGAN – Final Days

8.8/10

ORDEN OGAN - Final Days - 8.8/10

8.8/10

Summary

AFM Records
Release date: March 12, 2021

[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.

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The Backstory

After a few delays, Orden Ogan is set to release the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2017 album Gunmen. Final Days is the band’s seventh studio album.

The Album

Ever wonder if machines have feelings? Orden Ogan explores this thought on the opening track “Heart of the Android.” Vocalist Seeb Levermann holds a melodic front, while drummer Dirk Meyer-Berhorn is simply punishing in the back. “In the Dawn of AI” keeps the crushing drum beats going, as chunky riffs lead the track. The added progressive effects boost the complexity to the story being told. The twin guitar attack of Nils Löffler and Patrick Sperling dominate the head-banging motivator “Inferno.” The chorus comes in with plenty of pomp and vigor.

“Let the Fire Rain” is the beginning of the war between man and machine. Although set in space, the music recalls the Celtic-inspired Heavy Metal fight anthems of fellow Germans, Grave Digger. Firewind guitarist and one-time Ozzy ax slinger Gus G. lends some fiery licks to the frantic-paced “Interstellar.” Brothers of Metal vocalist Ylva Eriksson joins Seeb as the last man and woman on Earth on the haunting ballad “Alone in the Dark.” “It Is Over” is the apocalyptic tempo-switching finale.

The Verdict

Final Days is a grand theatrical Heavy Metal event that must be heard from beginning to end. If you skip around, you’re not doing it right. Orden Ogan has crafted a story that blends Terminator’s Skynet with Westworld’s AI intelligence, against the darkest parts of Planet of the Apes. Final Days is quite the clever sci-fi tale and a breath of fresh air in the Metal genre.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

Tracklist

Heart of the Android
In the Dawn of the AI
Inferno
Let the Fire Rain
Interstellar (w/Gus G)
Alone in the Dark (w/Ylva Eriksson)
Black Hole
Absolution for Our Final Days
Hollow
It Is Over

Orden Ogan is

Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Niels Löffler – Guitar
Dirk Meyer-Berhorn – Drums
Steven Wussow – Bass
Patrick Sperling – Guitars

About George Dionne 288 Articles

George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015. Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.