This type of melodic death metal has been kicking around for at least a decade and a half. In fact, it’s been done to death. But if you dug what In Flames were doing in the early 2000s then this album is for you.
Let’s be honest, garden-variety metalheads aren’t the most forward thinking and open-minded individuals out there. They generally sit around telling themselves that, “Metal is just not as good as it was in the good old days.” But they’ll be pleased to know Melbourne’s Orpheus Omega do the style ridiculously well. Partum Vita Mortem is world-class quality, providing fans of In Flames, Soilwork and Dark Tranquility with much to love.
This album is heavy and it’s melodic, and Orpheus Omega get the balance just about perfect. To illustrate, approximately 70 per cent of the vocals are dirty and 30 per cent clean, which is spot on. It’s mainly groove-based, but there are some faster, thrash-y moments in there providing colour and dynamics. The subtle use of piano and keyboards softens things slightly and adds an orchestral wash to fills things out.
OK, Partum Vita Mortem is formulaic, and it’s certainly not breaking any new ground in this somewhat tired sub-genre. But that’s not really the point – this is melodic-death metal, which this Aussie band are more than doing justice.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
