Orthodox
Gran Poder (CD) 2005 Alone
It is unlikely that anyone in Spain has created music this heavy before. I feel I can claim this since the amount of doom bands there isn't enormous and Orthodox is indeed one heavy concrete slab. In fact, in my eyes they prove that drone becomes heavier with good use of drums, rather than just guitars and bass. While both bands like 5ive's Continuum Research Project and YOB spring to mind, these guys don't really fit into the same category. There are almost no stoner elements at all. The riffing is pure, heavy and somewhat repetitive. On the other hand, bands like Bunkur and Khanate also have much in common. But again, Orthodox has something that sets them aside from the rest. Their attitude is not insane, aggressive or ugly. Instead the sound is relaxed and the vocals, when they occasionally appear, are very much like the bright, clean ones by Mike Scheidt from YOB. Most of the lyrics are in Spanish and aren't more than a few lines. In other words, it's not exactly the focus of these guys. Apparently they want to make heavy, slow and loud riffing. It wouldn't be wrong to claim that 'Gran Poder' is just this in almost pure form. If this is what you're addicted to, then this is where you'll find your fix. This will surely lower your heartbeat down to a very doomy level.	1. Gervon's Throne 2. Arrodillate Ante Madera Y La Piedra 3. Oficio De Tinieblas 4. El Lamento Del Cabrón Translated Track List: 1. Gervon's Throne 2. Kneeling Before The Wood And The Stone 3. The Office Of Darkness 4. The Lament Of The Goat Approx. 57 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen