Your impressions about The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR.

[Ollo-San]

Originally Posted by Morticia NL.

Forget everything from OL you heard before, open your mind and heart and just let it come to you. I think some people less into it might think me dramatic for writing this, but this is true.

You're totally right. The first listening was quite strange, despite the fact that I really enjoyed it, I was always tempted to compare it to previous albums. And as you said people have just to let it come without trying to find some ... etc...

@ GuiX, Boblenain, (a.k.a Guillaume): nice story Bro !!! Sorry for calling you everyday

[lozanoje]

Probably one of the best releases of the year, which could seem pretentious since we are in January, but this album is so awesome that hardly can be beaten by another one …

By now, I’m hooked with “The path Part 1” and “From broken vessels”.

I’m still getting details, and digging into lyrics…

Jose Lozano

[Kenneth R.]

It is SO GOOD!

I will have to write a full review when I get the chance

[Ananth]

I don't know if it's because it's almost 4 30 am here and I haven't had a trace of rest and it might be a sleep induced stupor, but I had a very moving experience. I listened to the whole of ENA and ORwarriOR back to back and it was so weirdly inspiring, I'm at a complete lack of words, no adjective can justify that feeling.

[Dora]

A masterpiece. I wasn't able to fully listen to it at first, felt so overwhelmed that I needed a break..

[Godhead59]

One nice thing about living in Israel is that you can go to a Tel-Aviv based metalshop and talk to Uri Zilha as you wish - he's a super-nice guy, and it's kind of awesome being handed the truly - spectacular limited edition of ORwarriOR from a band member.

About the album - after about five listens it's really starting to grow on me. Upon first listen, it's a lot to gulp at 75 minutes. The last album I bought that's this long is Metallica's Death Magnetic (which I love to bits) but it was way more catchy and less sophisticated than ORwarriOR. The more I listen to it, the more grateful I am for having a truly open mind to music. Just like Opeth's Watershed, this is in some ways the band's less-metal outing that's more about the experience as a whole. It's absolutely epic with astonishing melodies and incredible oriental touches - the Arabic flute in Bereft in the Abyss and The Path Pt. 1 is a shining example - it's absolutely beautiful.

To my delight, Kobi's vocals have improved greatly, and they were good enough on Mabool! I'm happy with Shlomit Levi, who reminds me greatly of Ofra Haza, getting more of a role on this album. She's amazing, and fits the band like a glove.
The only real gripe I have with it so far is that sometimes the guitars aren't clear enough and lack a punch (Barakah is a good example), but that's not as much of a problem as it would have been had ORwarrioOR been 75 minutes of sheer metal.

As it is - it's a spectacular release that brings real pride to Israel's music.

[Kenneth R.]

Today I wore my new shirt that came with the special edition and someone spotted me and said, "Is that an Orphaned Land shirt?" I was totally impressed! Word is getting around. We just need to keep spreading OL's message & music!

[symphonyXjapan]

I am having to wait another week for when it comes out in the U.S.

I have been really good not listening to more than the band previously released on the internet prior to the album's release. I really don't want to spoil it. One more week....

[lozanoje]

Originally Posted by Godhead59

The only real gripe I have with it so far is that sometimes the guitars aren't clear enough and lack a punch

Yeah, I have the same impression, at some given points guitars should have been mixed quite louder and clearer, they are catchy moments that you cant get out of your head and you'd wish it could have been mixed more heavysh to have a harder impact...

Is it something related to Wilson? :-) Dont know.
Lozano

[Postmodernist]

Some funny guy recorded his review of ORwarriOR on video:

You Tube

[Wayward son]

Originally Posted by BC-A

But they deserve to have an opinion, moreover when it is argued...

and opinions are like balls, everyone has his own

but, i think, a review is more than express merely an opinion, everyone is able to say: I agree, I don't like, shit, chocolate.

The critic must go deeper traing to stay outside his taste, try to understand if the artist has been able to keep the goal regardless if you like it or not, regardless your expectation.

You can't like Michelangelo or Van Gogh or Picasso, but, if you are a "critic", you have to recognise their genius, their technical skill, their capacity to communicate through their art exactly what they wanted to.

In few words, you have to discover WHY the artist chooses a specific formula to say something and how this choise works in the context.

Then you can express an aesthetic opinion ("this is shit" )

I wonder, among other things, that almost no reviewer has noticed the improved ORWARRIOR's cinematic approach compared to the previous works.
The album is structured to keep high the listener's attention, alternating long tracks full of action with short pieces very melodic and relaxing as a good action movie.... and no one noticed...


To stay in topic...
Yesterday my copy arrived (italian mail is like Godzilla: slow and deadly) the artwork is WONDERFUL, totaly blew me out. Someone makes my compliments to Uri's job!!!!

The DVD was good also, although I would have preferred a deeper focus on the album, but this is only a very little dettail.

[FiveString]

Originally Posted by Kenneth R.

Today I wore my new shirt that came with the special edition and someone spotted me and said, "Is that an Orphaned Land shirt?" I was totally impressed! Word is getting around. We just need to keep spreading OL's message & music!

That's great to read, Kenneth. Wearing that tee (in public) is akin to being a walking billboard. I'm getting a bunch of them along with my super-duper-extra-large signed edition package and will commence to start turning friends on all three US Coasts plus in my good ol' Heartland into the same.

Heck, yeah, I'll wear that shirt plenty, too.

This is cool. And it's cold and snowing here. I like that, so .

[Orfanos]

Well, my pre-ordered copy arrived only yesterday, so I didn't give the album a lot of listens.

But I have to say that I am not blown away yet, like I was when I listened to "Mabool" or "El Norra Alila" for the first time. Of course the album shows a lot of potential and I gonna listen to it the days to follow. I am sure that I will love it as the previous ones.

PS: What a fantastic song is "In Thy Never Ending Way"? I love the combination of bouzouki and piano the band does!

[Ananth]

How did yesterday's concert go?

[Orfanos]

OMG, "New Jerusalem" is a very emotional song!

I am digging the album so far, but it's still too early for a secure opinion.

[paradoxile]

I've been grinding this album for the past few days
I must be frank...it's not as addictive as mabool but it's awesome.
at some places it sounds a little like opeth from 7-8 years ago but with an arab/mideastern touch to it(aspecially from broken vessels),that's a very interesting mix. Must be a part of Stephen Willson's contribution to the album(that and the phone filter :LOL.
I guess I miss Eden's style(more complex keyboards) a bit but Eden's ancient history.

[BC-A]

Originally Posted by paradoxile

I've been grinding this album for the past few days
I must be frank...it's not as addictive as mabool but it's awesome.
at some places it sounds a little like opeth from 7-8 years ago but with an arab/mideastern touch to it(aspecially from broken vessels),that's a very interesting mix. Must be a part of Stephen Willson's contribution to the album(that and the phone filter :LOL.
I guess I miss Eden's style(more complex keyboards) a bit but Eden's ancient history.

I am actually really happy not to have his style on this album
And Disciples of the Sacred Oath II live is just crushing everything... Could not believe it at the show thursday! Amazing....

[Kenneth R.]

Originally Posted by FiveString

That's great to read, Kenneth. Wearing that tee (in public) is akin to being a walking billboard. I'm getting a bunch of them along with my super-duper-extra-large signed edition package and will commence to start turning friends on all three US Coasts plus in my good ol' Heartland into the same.

Heck, yeah, I'll wear that shirt plenty, too.

This is cool. And it's cold and snowing here. I like that, so .

Tell me about it, I got the honor of meeting the OL guys and Nathalie in London a while back, and I went to the merch counter and said something like "give me one of everything." I wear those shirts A LOT too! Most of my friends know about OL because of that, and random people on the street ask me what the back (hebrew text) means, which is a great point to start talking to them about OL. : )

[paradoxile]

Originally Posted by BC-A

I am actually really happy not to have his style on this album
And Disciples of the Sacred Oath II live is just crushing everything... Could not believe it at the show thursday! Amazing....

glad you enjoyed it...i miss the good old fashioned thrill a good metal show gave me.I still love metal music but i feel i've grown too old for the scene.
It's wierd but now when I'm able(financially) and university's finished and I don't have to waste part of the time of enjoying the show in trying to find a decent girl in the crowd who would marry me and have my sexy babies(because I'm married). I don't have the will anymore...don't feel like i belong there.

[Godhead59]

Originally Posted by Ananth

How did yesterday's concert go?

It was epic. My pics. Sorry about the quality, it's a phone cam.

[Morticia NL.]

Originally Posted by Kenneth R.

and random people on the street ask me what the back (hebrew text) means, which is a great point to start talking to them about OL. : )

Doing a great job Kenneth! You are a warrior of light. In the true sense

Someone asked about the show; it was one heck of an experience. When I heard new songs live for the first time at BA in Czech, it sounded a bit insecure to me, which is normal because it was the first time the songs were played. But this time the songs from ORwarriOR were strong and really fitting the rest of the setlist very well. And the crowd was singing along to new songs already. Impressive show and I urge you to go and see them, even if it's a bit of a travel. Its really worth it!

PS the guitar solo of the warrior kicks ass live! It is an epic piece and will for sure become a live classic. For now Im still in Israel, but I hope to update the fan site with lots of materials once I get back at the end of this week.

[Bound2Fate]

I got my autographyed copy . Liked the poster too...didn't think it was gonna be that big. ORwarriOR is indeed a very different monster compared to Mabool. At times, it sounds like an entirely different band. I really can't compare the two albums. They both have a very distinct character and mood. Disciples of the Sacred Oath II is my favorite song so far, but I also really enjoy Bereft in the Abyss, New Jerusalem, and the Warrior. The whole album is good regardless. The DVD was good too. I was wondering if Steven Wilson wrote those piano parts, such as the ending of In Thy Never Ending Way because it showed a different guy playing the piano. I can tell Steven did all the other keyboard parts. He indeed put his stamp on this record.

[Ananth]

Originally Posted by Bound2Fate

The whole album is good regardless. The DVD was good too. I was wondering if Steven Wilson wrote those piano parts, such as the ending of In Thy Never Ending Way because it showed a different guy playing the piano. I can tell Steven did all the other keyboard parts. He indeed put his stamp on this record.

As far as I know, that piano bit has been around since ages [even before SW got hands on the material]. As even before the date of David's interview with SW, that bit was a teaser on the website. I reckon seeing a picture or two of a guy playing the Piano. I forgot his name, it was mentioned somewhere here methinks.

[Postmodernist]

Piano is played by "Avner Gavrieli, a friend of the band" (http://antonsaysdotcom.livejournal.com/7002.html)

[Edgeofforever]

Hi to all. I got my copy today, finally a normal edition, and i very dissapointed with them... No lyrics.. no photos..only 6 pages??? It´s any kind of bad joke??? I really wanted for the limited version..but i cannot find in my country... IM REALLY SAD