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Bio:
In a scene flooded with mediocrity and uninspired rehashes of past
glories, few metal albums in the last few years have grabbed my
attention the way local metal powerhouse Orwell’s new album,
“Endeavors,” has.
This album has been a long time coming. Since their first La Crosse
show many years ago, I’ve watched Orwell go through various
stylistic and line-up changes, with each performance or new song
an improvement upon the last. Through all the years of trials that
come with being in a metal band, the band’s integrity and
determination have remained true, culminating in the release of
“Endeavors.” While many influences can be heard, the band’s
unique blend of thrash and melodic death metal manages to bring
something fresh and exciting to the table. From the opening blasts
of “Dictators in Disguise” to the epic closer “Firefighting in Hell,”
this album never lets up in its intensity and is completely devoid of
“filler.” Guitarists Tim Bradley and Erik Bolstad really shine on this
album with a technical proficiency and fluidity to the songwriting
that was sometimes missing in the Orwell of old. Vocalist Logan
Hauser is a perfect fit for the band’s sound, delivering intelligent
lyrics with a relentless intensity and impressive range. Drummer
Cris Bissell and bassist Will Strickland provide a solid backbone to
all the songs, and Haugen’s impressive drumming takes the music
to a whole new level. Not to mention that the sound is excellent,
effectively capturing the intensity of the band’s live shows.
This is the sound of a band on fire and ready to prove themselves to
the world. “Endeavors” establishes Orwell as a true force to be
reckoned with, and I can’t wait to see where they’re headed. Buy
this album; it is easily the best thing to ever come out of La Crosse’s
metal scene.
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