Rough Edge: Crimson Orchid CD Reviews

CRIMSON ORCHID

"A Chosen Path" (Self-produced; 2008)

Reviewed by Metal Mark

This is the third album from Crimson Orchid who hail from Baltimore, Maryland. Their music has relied on more than their fair share of contrasts and I am sure that is all part of their overall design.

“A Chosen Path” sees the band becoming even more ambitious in their attempts to widen the scope of their sound. They have never been ones to limit themselves to just one style and this time around they bring elements of death, thrash, rap and others into their swirling arsenal.

I think that, as a whole, this album takes more risks than does their “Nightmares and Fairy Tales” album. I think they bide their time a little more and seem to have a bit more control. Yet the results, while maybe more versatile, certainly do not have the overall impact I was hoping for. There are some moments where they bring the hammer down and really bring out the kind of force I think that they intended. However, there just seems to be a lot of moments where the more aggressive parts are held at bay by the band perhaps trying to do a bit too much. Still their emotion and belief in their lyrics has been, and still is, evidently real because it consistently shines through no matter what.

I think the attempt here is commendable and they have certainly progressed some but there are a number of occasions where the music seems spread a little too thin. I think there were times where everything could benefit from being more compact and direct. My hope is that Crimson Orchid keep striving forward and concentrate on harnessing their ideas and perhaps focus a bit more the next time around.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/crimsonorchidband.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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