The Grand Wall

Finnish band Ordog is on stage for more than 10 years, and during that time managed to release several demos, compilation of the best songs, and five full-length albums. And today we’ll be talking ‘bout their newest CD called “The Grand Wall”. Album greets us with pleasant acoustic arpeggios then being replaced by a powerful heavy verse, adjusting the listener to the desired mode. Also in this song apart from the strong growls can be heard a bit of clean pensive vocals. “Open the Door by Red” is an excellent choice for the album’s opener.

The second tune is forceful “Sundered”. It rolls after listener like a massive tank, this composition is based on crunchy riff, tight bass parts, and double-bass drumming. Powerful song with an unexpected solo in the blues scale. Also the interlude of the track is quite interesting, one can hear very Swedish-like MDM keyboards part. I believe that worthy finalethis fragment would totally fit in one of the In Flames songs. By the way, the sound of the band is not typical for the Finns. If I did not know their country of origin, I would have thought it was the Germans.

The next two songs passed, did not impress me. Even got bored a bit with them. But in the penultimate song - «Wings in Water» made me cheer up again. Excellent energetic, aggressive composition with a classy tense main riff and vocal variety. Without a doubt - the best song on the album! Final title song, which lasts for almost 11 minutes - is the quintessence of Ordog style and the most doomy tune on ”The Grand Wall”. It absorbed all that is in the arsenal of the Finns: pressing heavy guitar chords, gloomy atmosphere, powerful vocals, nice melodies, acoustic passages. And the finale is dignified.

Verdict: pretty masterful album from a good band. Let's see what will happen next.