Orwell
Endeavors

April 2011
Released: 2009, n/a
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Waspman

I’m a little bit late to the party on this one, as Wisconsin’s Orwell put ENDEAVORS way back in 2009, but better late than never I guess. The literary-named Orwell formed in 2004, and just like oh so many bands that formed back then, they were heavily into, yes, metalcore. I know that’s pretty much the kiss of death these days, critically and commercially, but you never know when a diamond in the rough will emerge – isn’t that part of the reason why we listen to music in the first place, to discover some cool new band?



After a ton of spins, I am thrilled to report that Orwell is definitely a pretty cool band. While still metalcore, they forego two of that genre’s most stale components: the clean vocals, and the breakdowns; yes, ENDEAVORS is actually closer to melodic death metal than you might think. The twin melodic guitars are there, and Logan Hauser’s vocals are a one-dimensional growl, but the riffs these guys have come up with are, frankly, pretty awesome. They may not be blazing a new path, but for a band that’s drinking deeply from the trough of the late-‘90s metal scene, they’ve managed to make their own mark. Flashy riffs and catchy hooks highlight both the immediate attacks (“Dictators in Disguise”) and the lengthier guitar workouts (“Fortress” – a highlight).



As I said, this is strictly by the book melodic death metal, but it is some damn fine stuff. In today’s musical climate I’m not sure how much notice this band is going to get, but if you haven’t completely tired of this style of metal, Orwell is heartily recommended.