Orbit Culture – Death Above Life (Review)

This is the fifth album from Swedish metal band Orbit Culture.

I enjoyed 2020’s Nija, 2021’s Shaman, and 2023’s, Descent, so Death Above Life is well-received. If you’re unfamiliar with Orbit Culture, check these previous releases out if you’re a fan of bands such as Gojira, In Flames, Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Metallica, Slipknot, Soilwork, Static-X, Sylosis, Thy Art Is Murder, and Trivium.

Death Above Life provides us with ten new songs – 53 minutes of Orbit Culture’s charismatic modern blend of groove metal, djent, melodic death metal, thrash, deathcore, and metalcore.

With talk that Death Above Life is something of a rebirth for Orbit Culture, with them being darker and heavier than ever, I was especially intrigued to hear it. It turns out it’s true to an extent too, who knew? Fans of the band will be pleased to know that the essential Orbit Culture style is intact, only a shade darker and heavier, and with a few stylistic tweaks here and there; just as advertised, really.

Across the album Orbit Culture’s new material ranges from blunt brutality to soaring melodies to energetic aggression to anthemic choruses, and more. It’s actually probably their most diverse release, although I’ve always liked that they have been willing to try a few different things over the years. Also, there are more colossal riffs than you can shake a stick at on this record.

This is a massive album. Not just the songs themselves, but the weight, feel, and sound of them too. The riffs are sharper and more jagged, and the growls rougher and harsher. But, the melodies are still emotive, the clean singing infectious, and the overall songs catchy. After all, this is Orbit Culture, and they know how to write a good tune.

Death Above Life is professional, stadium-grade heavy music. It’s a huge beast of metallic might, augmented with the styles mentioned above, and enhanced with a rich sense of cinematic atmosphere and presence. This is an album of big music and big songs. And yet, despite this, I still find Orbit Culture have an ability to connect with me in a way that many ostensibly similar acts don’t. There’s something unashamedly metal about this, despite the contemporary trappings and the scale of the ambition and delivery on display. I suppose it’s as simple as the fact that I can’t help but feel Orbit Culture love and believe in what they’re doing, and this passion comes across in the songs.

Death Above Life is a strong album. Is it their best? Yes. Let’s just commit to that right now – this is the best Orbit Culture album, the one I’ve enjoyed the most. There, I said it. It’s also certainly their best sounding. Basically, if you’re a fan of this style of contemporary heaviness, you must not miss out on this accomplished and enjoyable record.

Essential listening.