Orbit Culture - Death Above Life (LP)

ORBIT CULTURE is a band in balance. The Swedish quartet’s Century Media debut, Death Above Life, is not only a statement of how far the band has come, but also the sound of metal in its most modern sense. “This record represents change, a new beginning,” says Niklas Karlsson, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of ORBIT CULTURE. “It evokes many good and bad emotions, but it’s a big change for the better. It feels like a rebirth.”

From the scorching opener “Inferna” to the tight title track and the elegiac closer “The Path I Walk”, one thing is clear: ORBIT CULTURE is at the top of their game. Beyond their DIY ethos and uncompromising, unsettling, dark visuals, Karlsson credits his love of soundtracks and cinematic soundscapes as a major influence on ORBIT CULTURE’s sound and vision. Composers such as Hans Zimmer (Dune, Interstellar) and Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings) have had a huge impact on the band. “Much more than any metal being written today,” Niklas says. “All of us would rather listen to the soundtrack of Inception. It’s timeless. When I get stuck while writing, those tools and inspirations are there — whether it’s cellos or pianos adding texture. We write very simple riffs and structures, so by drawing on someone like Hans Zimmer, we can make the ending of a track like ‘Inferna’ bigger and more cinematic.”

Produced by the band and mixed by Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Humanity's Last Breath, Thrown), Death Above Life is a statement for metal: both present and future. It also marks a crucial next step for ORBIT CULTURE, as they continue to define themselves and metal as a whole. “We play metal,” says Karlsson. “We have influences from djent, metalcore, and melodic death metal. We stay true to ourselves, and I think people are hungry for that.”