Orphaned Land @ Hellfest

It was a strange show, one of the all-or-nothing kind. I mean, the band isn’t half-assed at all when it comes to songwriting. Their complex oriental-sounding rhythms and scales struck my ear and created an exotic climate in the pit that is unusual for a Metal festival. The very complexity of Orphaned Land’s music has been holding me back at first and it was difficult for me to get in the right mood to fully enjoy their show. Don’t get me wrong: I had a good time, but overall, I found that their sound was too odd and poppy and the Tankian vibe of the singer’s voice, combined with his bland stage presence, failed to catch me. Next time, maybe? Because they certainly have much room for improvement!