Review | Orion – The Lightbringers

Independent Release

Reporting back with his brand-new album, multi-instrumentalist Ben Jones hits the mark with his new Orion record `The Lightbringers’. Where his debut `The End of Suffering’ spent decades in the making, the new album came together rapidly. Not only does `The Lightbringers’ send a fresh breeze through the prog rock scene, it also crystalized the Jones’ vision to near perfection, blending style and grace with a range of influences into a cohesive and unique thriving sound.

HUGH SYME

Catching attention immediately is the astonishing artwork provided by the great Hugh Syme known for his many collaborations with Rush and other rock titans. The result is a popping collection of art aligning with Jones’ lyrical vision, of which ,,The Ghosts among Us” might be one of Syme’s strongest works seamlessly intertwining with one of most gripping and intense tracks on the album.

Where Jones channelled various influences of Eckart Tolle’s `The Power of Now’ through the songs Orion’s previous record `The End of Suffering’, he switches content and remains explorative towards modern day awareness and reflective standings of humans. `The Lightbringers’, in the context of Orion’s album, are an entity or force bringing about ultimate good, even in seemingly negative and dark experiences. Exploring this idea, positing that `The Lightbringers’ could be a force that metaphorically “burns down our temples so that we might build better ones”. 

This implies a process of destruction and renewal, where apparent setbacks or tragedies might be catalysts for growth and improvement. Jones’ new album, Orion, revisits the debut with an inviting musical framework, enhanced by more daunting and explorative compositions that transcend the original. The album not only excels in sound but also showcases Jones’ creativity and immense musical fertility in its delivery.

AN ATTRACTIVE RANGE OF SOUND WAVES

With the opening ,,Tumult of My Heart”, Orion releases a torrent of riffs and rolling bass lines pulling the song forward with Rush reminiscent momentum and building tension. The dominant growling bass and tumultuous drums bring an urge contradicting the songs melodics and gripping (lush) vocal lines. Most impressive is Jones’ ability to create an open atmosphere in the dense and richly textured composition. Adding the guitars ‘in between’ layers and with djent-tone, Orion’s specter differs from the vast majority and provides an attractive range of sound waves adding to the experience and intense depth of `The Lightbringers’. The song flourishes with intensity and channels deep.

All this musical grandeur shoots root in the following and previously mentioned (center piece) ,,The Ghosts Among Us”. It taps the emotional vein, with bass dominating amidst lushly plucked guitars. The reverberating sound conveys intensity with Jones’ vocals reverberating inside the story. His delivery is intense and balances Geddy Lee’s typical phrasing with Steve Walsh’s croon and John Wetton’s subtle emotional discharge. Slightly subdued in the mix during the verses, the vocals flourish on the nesting chorus, injecting the right dose of melancholy. It is this keen play with the sonic specter making the mix such a prolific and breathing piece of art.

Listen to the echoing Floydian guitars and the scatting stop ‘n go motion drumming. You feel the presence of other dimensions resonating within. Intensifying, the track blends neo prog with serious musical Rush swagger. 

ORION – NEXT LEVEL

Shifting gears ,,This Sickness” fuses the Rush characteristic turmoil of ,,Counterparts” and Lifeson’s lower range textural playing with a unique neo-prog infused classic rock drive. The rhythmic changes are daunting and its guitars morph alongside the rural bass lines. There’s a dark and doom in the lows. 

Rolling back the rousing rock, Orion brings the absolute wonderous ,,As Best as We Can” to the fold. Acoustic guitars strum, vocals crooning, Jones paints the picture of an epic surrounding. Powering up with dark ominous drum strokes, the song starts to shift shape to return to form unexpectedly. Fluently meandering into ,,Spark”, the track brings balances ebbing emotions and keys pitched over dynamic drum rolls with a jagged riff positioned in the front. Ramped up with orchestral structures it brings an epic bliss forward with balanced copper sections and string arrangements in the mix. Ethereal are the wailing keys, strings and choirs curving into a sudden blunt djent riff that propels the song next level.

Much like ,,Spark” started, floating keys roll in announcing the piano that unlocks ,,The Scattering Stars”. Horns pick up to inject the low end bombastically boasting the light atmosphere of its welling keys and strings. Cannata (Arc Angel, Cannata) reminiscent vocals sooth with whisper-like emotive offload, to start whirling while the track elevates in serenity. An urging scorch is applied as the song starts to pile dramatic tempo changes and rhythmic prog hooks atop of the reverting melody and repetitive line “they just bring gravity”. As if the sea is calling home the stars from the blackest of nights, the track alternates dark accolades with a vibrant transparent upbeat drizzling in.

EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED

Droning forward are the low growling bass lines of ,,The Falling Heavens”. Intense turmoil and distorted guitars create an outline for the discord of echoing chants opening towards the great repetitive guitar lick, and the insanely dynamic time changes. The way the guitar conveys the deeper emotions is reminiscent to Robin Trower’s playing at times, gripping deep. The vocals are an outcry-like torrent of fierce power, laden with intensity and guttural emotion. Power-packed are the low droning in-your-face bass lines and melodies and its djenty guitars. Subtle tribal percussion briefly percolates into the mix enhancing flavors. The emotional discharge is further emphasized by the welling keys. Atop Jones’ vocals are spot on, carrying across the discord. 

The album concludes with its title track, which begins like a cold mist rolling in from the sea before bursting into progressive drum breaks and guitars that echo with extended notes. The melody features a grand harmony, with vibrant orchestration taking center stage in the pre-chorus and chorus, where Jones showcases his vocal prowess, surpassing expectations. He skillfully navigates the limitations of his voice, infusing the vocals with the right balance of emotion and swagger. His delicate high notes perfectly complement the lyrical themes, and when he explores deeper tones, he connects emotionally with the listener. Jones displays his growth as a performer on all levels. 

ORION – THE CONCLUSION

The guitar work is delightful, and the solo is exceptionally impressive, blending the crisp and clean tones of Saga’s Ian Crichton with the rich phrased chord voicings and wailing tone of Rush’s Alex Lifeson, while also incorporating a Trevor Rabin-like edge in the riffs. It blends well inside the textured composition. This ten-minute journey of melodic and progressive fusion combines intense emotions with remarkable musical skill, delivering a primal and solid performance. The track is filled with an abundance of djent-style guitars alternating with neo-prog’s finest, while unloading passionate vocals, creating a powerful atmosphere that resonates emotional depth and draws listeners into its compelling narrative.

`The Lightbringers’ is poised to be a remarkable addition to Orion’s discography, promising a journey through sound that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The solidity of modern and neo-prog structures midst compelling narrative is subtle and powerful, while displaying thought-provoking grandeur. Leaping forward from the debut, the album builds better and crystalizes Jones’ intrinsic vision, constructed on a firm production. 

Warming up to the sound specter presented on `The Lightbringers’, you better prepare to get stunned.

PS: Across the board I hear the new Orion album and it links directly into Blind Man’s Daughter upcoming record `Dissent’, with my mind wandering off seeing both creative forces colliding on a project as both channel corresponding depth and emotions. I guess I have to get them acquainted.