Gorod is a technical (progressive) death metal band from Bordeaux, France, with a 25-year history. They initially started as Gorgasm but changed their name to Gorod in 2005 to avoid confusion with an American death metal band bearing the same name.
Gorod caught my attention relatively late (especially for a French metalhead) with their magnificent album "Aethera" in 2018 and their 2019 tour alongside fellow French metal legends, Psykup and SUP.
"The Orb" marks their seventh studio album, released on March 4, 2023, through Season of Mist. The album offers a dense 40-minute treat with little room for fillers.
It kicks off with the brutal track "Chrematheism," featuring some of the heaviest riffing on the album, reminiscent of their earlier releases. Twinning guitars, blackened growls, and blasting drums create an exhilarating experience for tech-death-metal enthusiasts.
Gorod's trademark lies in their guitar work, which gives their sound a truly unique character. The two guitarists have found their sweet spot by the time of their fourth release together. Their sound is dense and layered, offering enough variety without losing the listener's attention or disorienting newcomers. It exudes a death metal essence with a crushing wall feeling, reminiscent of early Gojira albums, while even the most intense riffs retain a melodic touch, complemented by proggy dueling solos with a distinct Maiden-inspired feeling.
Combined with a groovier rhythm section and diverse vocal parts, the album becomes a truly explosive cocktail that will undoubtedly make your headbang in no time.
Gorod also ventures into less traditional territories with a couple of tracks: "We Are The Sun Gods" surprises with an unexpected Latino middle section featuring clean tapping guitars morphing into a frantic finish. "Savitari" delivers a post-metal vibe reminiscent of The Ocean Collective, and "Waltz of Shades" combines dissonant riffs with a waltz ¾ signature, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Before parting ways, make sure to check out the album's closing track, "Strange Days," a cover of The Doors' classic song, which, unfortunately, is strangely missing on Spotify. Gorod gives it their unique treatment with clean vocals and blast beats.
"The Orb" has been one of my favorite albums of 2023 so far, and I highly recommend it to any tech death / prog death metal fans.
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