REVIEWER: Grog Mutant / ChickenFish Speaks review
Orpheos - The Mirror with No Reflection - CD
(Orpheos) Wow, this release really threw me. I was hoping for something a bit dark and gothic from the cover, but never expected this sound. It’s like Peter Murphy fronting a goth / techno / industrial band. Yeah, it has some elements of Bauhaus, but it really does stretch out into techno aspects and has a faster beat on some tracks. I can’t help but think this is how bands from the early era of goth would sound like after the advent of industrial bands such as Ministry, NIN, My Life with the Thrill Kill Cult and Skinny Puppy. An amazing release, especially if you are a fan of goth or Peter Murphy.
-- Grog Mutant (2009)
REVIEWER: Jon Ostrow / MicControl Magazine Blog
Ill be perfectly honest, I don’t typically listen to this type of music, and therefore am not the most educated person on the genre. But that being said, Ill discuss this album to the best of my abilities with what I do know about music as my grounds for analysis….
The new solo album by Orpheos, a founding member of Mephisto Odyssey, which is entitled The Mirror With No Reflection, is a collection of heavy, gothic pieces of music which has been layered to perfection and then accented by a mysterious voice. The mixing of the music is key here, which has been done in an interesting way. Although the vocals could be the spotlight of the music (Orpheos has the style and tone that could be viewed as the next David Bowie), it has only been used as a single layer within the dense texture of music. I particularly liked the percussion tracks in each song, which are always heavy but upbeat giving the music a bright sound and energy; a difficult task given the dark nature of the music and lyrics.
There has been a clear attention to detail throughout the entire creation of this album. Although I felt that much of this album had a similar feel to it, I found it to be a more positive thing given the style of music. What was lacking in the musical variation has been made up for in the interesting use of different styles and sounds of instruments. Each song also has a nice melody that twists and turns with every chord change within the music itself; chord changes being another thing I found interesting about this music (I don’t seem to recall much music of this vain having chord changes, but that could be my lack of education on the subject).
REVIEWER: Matthew J. / Grave Concern Magazine
The debut release from solo artist Orpheos is a solid foray into
dark, moody synthpop augmented by gritty trip-hop rhythms and just a
hint of rock guitar. As the EP opens with "I Won't Look Back," the
first thing you notice is the voice: it's a rich croon imbued with a
world-weary vibe that recalls a young David Sylvian (of seminal New
Wave act Japan). Where Japan roughened up the edges on Sylvian's
voice with jagged fretless bass, Orpheos does the same thing with a
distorted guitar effect and rumbling, low-end trip-hip beats. Title
track "A Walk in the Dark" adds more guitar, but again it's the
interplay between gritty rhythm section and melodious voice that
stands out. With "On the Run," the beats get slicker and the vocals
more full of brooding intensity; it's perhaps this EP's most
professional-sounding track. Finishing things up are a pair of songs
that expand somewhat on the formula established by the first three
tracks; "Kiss These Chains" is more upbeat, even funky, thanks to a
classic electro breakbeat, while instrumental "Heute Abend Ist Schon"
sees Orpheos moving into more experimental territory with
dub-flavored bass lines, industrial clanking, and a sprinkling of
animal sounds and insect buzzing for added flavor. With just five
songs, this is little more than an appetizer, but it promises bigger,
better, tastier things yet to come.
REVIEWER: Absolute Zero Magazine
So Orpheos has sent me the completed CD after liking the promo CD and you know what the CD is a strong release in the ethereal/ goth rock scene if your a fan of David Bowie, Love and Rockets, Peter Murphy and Sisters of Mercy you will think its a blast of 80's / Early 90's Deathrock. If there was labels that I think Orpheos would fit with I would say Middle Pillar, Projekt and Metropolis . I'm sure you see a common thread. This is far better then what Cleopatra throws up on the world. There are some more electro/ dancey goth moments but Orpheos always seems to keep the more rocking / bass driving side alive on The Mirror with No Reflection. Well worth Checking out and again its not something I normally like but there's a hypnotic vibe about Orpheos that draws me in.
REVIEWER: Steven Ghillany / Morbid Outlook Magazine
Orpheos (not to be confused with the 1960s band Orpheus), is quick to point out he is one man and the sounds we hear are all his and nobody else’s. The sonic textures on this album are rich, although often simple. While some organic instrumentation is present, most of it is muted in favor synthesizers and step sequencers, which no doubt simplify Orpheos’ job.
The man himself has a very familiar sounding voice that will please fans of David Bowie and the like. His crooning style lends well to the music, creating a nice synergy. In the end, the tapestry created here is often paced well for the average gothic dancer, but mellow enough for the couch tripper to zone out to.
Happy Halloween Orpheos! I came by to listen as your music is sounding exceptionally great today, it's really setting the mood for Halloween! I was going to give your music some more exposure by adding it to my music player today (all of the tracks) yet you have that function disabled (Not the download function but the *add to player* function) Anyway, your music is really is setting the mood for Halloween for me and I know that many of my friends would have agreed with me. Hope that you're enjoying All Hallows Eve thus far!
Just wanted to say how much I like your music. You're quite the Talent. A multi-instumentalist and vocalist, whom I assume, composes all of his own works as well? Your talent is Immense! The music & vocals have a rare & unique quality and sound that remind me of a few of my other favorite artists, such as Sisters of Mercy, David Bowie, The Cure and various others, yet your style is still unique and original & all your own. I Simply adore your style. I Look very much forward to hearing more from you. Please keep up the excellent work. Let's stay in touch..
