...SIŁA I PIĘKNO MUZYKI TKWIĄ W JEJ RÓŻNORODNOŚCI


..::OPIS::..

O.R.K. PRESENT SCREAMNASIUM, THE NEW ALBUM FROM EX-PORCUPINE TREE BASSIST COLIN EDWIN, AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER/VOCALIST LEF, KING CRIMSON’S PAT MASTELOTTO, AND MARTA SUITUBI’S CARMELO PIPITONE

The expansive and emotive, Screamnasium is O.R.k’s most essential album to date. Spontaneous yet intricately crafted, it is perhaps the most concise statement of the band's sonic aims yet.

With the quartet having formed a strong creative bond over the course of three previous studio albums and with countless miles clocked up on tour, the highly anticipated follow up to 2018’s acclaimed Ramagehead has finally arrived. The pent up, derailed energies of O.R.k. have found a release with their gutsy and striking new album Screamnasium.

Setting the pace, the lead single/album opener As I Leave delivers the distilled O.R.k. spirit directly to the listener. Lef’s powerful vocals, Carmelo Pipitone’s energetic riffing, Pat Mastelotto’s inventive rhythmic accompaniment and Colin Edwin’s distinctive bass tones all infuse Screamnasium with a refreshed intensity and a new luminosity. Energy levels are maintained throughout the 42 minute runtime as O.R.k. state the case for optimism, tolerance and inclusivity - these are hopeful anthems for an increasingly uncertain world.

A highlight is Consequence, where Lef spars with Grammy-winning vocal phenom Elisa, best known outside her native Italy for her collaboration with the legendary Ennio Morricone on Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained soundtrack.

Album closer Someone Waits features virtuoso cellist Jo Quail who provides seductive, intertwining melodies that contrast the huge riffs underpinning Screamnasium’s sound.

The creative duo of Grammy-winning art director Adam Jones (of Tool) and Marvel/DC Comics illustrator Denis Rodier have handled the artwork and layout to create an iconic album artwork with remarkable visual imagery, while mixing and Mastering duties have been undertaken by Machine (Lamb of God, King Crimson, Clutch).

Encompassing a wide breadth of emotional landscapes, Screamnasium is the perfect catharsis for our troubled times. The album will be released on 21 October 2022.



I’m one of the ones who was saddened to notice the absence of stellar bass guitarist Colin Edwin on Porcupine Tree’s good-to-tepid Closure/Continuation album earlier this year. Apparently since Edwin didn’t call Steven Wilson during their hiatus, there was no place for him in the band. Fine by me now because we have a new O.R.k. album. Remember their third album Ramagehead three years ago? If not, go read this. Or this review of their second album, Soul of an Octopus. You’ll get the gist: these guys create exciting and vital music that cannot be compared to that of Porcupine Tree. There’s a spontaneity here that is rivaled only by Boss Keloid – in fact, that’s a great comparison. O.R.k. may not be as heavy, but the quirkiness and unique delivery is there in spades, and Screamnasium is no exception.

“As I Leave” takes less than a minute to go full Soundgarden on us. It’s a great example of the band’s quirky take on both prog and alt-metal, with the quiet, airy verses and massive choruses. Keyboards flit about the speakers, odd vocal oohs and ahhs blip in and out, acoustic guitars mix with crunchy electric, and Pat Mastelotto destroys his drumkit. What a killer opening track. “Unspoken Words” shows a slightly different version of the band, with an intricate riff accompanied by an equally intricate vocal arrangement. The duet with Elisa (Toffoli, although she only goes by her first name) on “Consequence” is magnificently alluring, as the singers go back and forth and around each other in an oddly seductive manner.

Speaking of vocals, despite the pedigree of Edwin and Mastelotto, LEF is the star of O.R.k.’s show. The Soundgarden comparisons are not included by accident; LEF has the vocal range of Chris Cornell, sounding just like him when he lets it rip and adding his own unique timbre to the softer, airier melodies. It’s a fantastic performance across the entire album. And yes, Edwin’s bass work is sublime and Mastelotto’s drumming is mind-numbingly cool, and Carmelo Pipitone is an amazing guitarist, but whenever LEF sings (kind of like Boss Keloid’s Alex Hurst) he absolutely takes over the song but manages to do so without over-singing. Rather, he just makes each song sparkle more than I suspect any other singer could.

O.R.k. have been together for four albums now, and that comfort level shines throughout, with each band member knowing exactly how to mesh with the others at every step. Each song is a cohesive whole, but you can isolate the musicians and hear very cool things happening, at times quite subtly. Listen to “Hope for the Ordinary,” which is anything but. Edwin’s bass lines anchor the song perfectly, Mastelotto’s playing is neither simple nor indulgent, Pipitone’s guitars bend and flex much like Adrian Belew, and LEF’s vocals hypnotize. And that’s not even the strongest track: that honor goes to album closer “Someone Waits,” a slow burner led by a great cello performance from Jo Quail. Or possibly “Deadly Bite,” which might be one of the most menacing tracks of the year.

O.R.k. just may be the most underrated heavy prog band going. Screamnasium marks their fourth solid outing, and in fact, might be their best yet. Their unique blend of prog, metal, alt-rock, acoustic, and more combined with the disconcerting yet charismatic vocal arrangements will keep listeners coming back time and again. And each time we will hear something new in each song. New gems combined with a desire to keep listening to the whole album equals a Great rating in my book, and it should in yours as well.

Huck'n'Roll



..::TRACK-LIST::..

1. As I Leave 03:57
2. Unspoken Words 03:39
3. Consequence (feat. Elisa) 04:10
4. I Feel Wrong 04:00
5. Don't Call Me A Joke 03:24
6. Hope For The Ordinary 04:37
7. Deadly Bite 03:57
8. Something Broke 04:17
9. Lonely Crowd 03:58
10. Someone Waits 05:34



..::OBSADA::..

Vocals, Keyboards, Electronics - Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari, LEF
Drums [Acoustic, Electronic], Percussion - Pat Mastelotto
Bass, Fretless Bass - Colin Edwin
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals - Carmelo Pipitone

Cello - Jo Quail (tracks: 10)
Vocals - Elisa (tracks: 3)




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkV8YQ2WPBA



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