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Articles : DVD Review: Orpheus Omega – Archways Across Asia

By on May 7, 2015

Orpheus-Omega---Archways-Across-AsiaWe open to a black stage and the haunting melodies and harmonics of “The Deconstruct”. Soon, violet overhead lights engulf the stage, illuminating the five fearsome members that make up Melbourne’s Orpheus Omega. The beat rushes in and before long, the crowds in Wuhan, China roar into life, and we as the viewer enter into the flourishing world of Australian melodic death metal.

Serving as a great opening to the DVD Archways Across Asia, it isn’t long before the first segment of the documentary begins. Intercut between the live performances of “The Deconstruct” and “Winds of Change”, we get our first glimpse at band life behind the scenes, and the introductions to those that make it happen. The documentary side serves as both an exploration of band life, and what it’s like being on the road for a band still making their name in the music world. Introducing in hilarious fashion vocalist/guitarist Chris Themelco, then current bassist Dan Ralph, guitarist Joao Goncalves, keyboardist Keswick Gallagher, and lastly drummer Matt Themelco, the doco goes on to show what these guys are like when not melting faces on stage. It serves as an insight into how crazy, delightful, and light-hearted these guys are. They don’t take themselves at all too seriously, yet give their everything to their music and craft.

One of the first things of note about this release that becomes immediately evident is that none of the money used to fund this project was in any way wasted. The coming together of Archways Across Asia was the byproduct of a successful crowd-funding campaign that both allowed Orpheus Omega the funds to tour across Asia as a band, and also to produce this DVD and offer their fans a unique snapshot of their band life. This, I feel, is perhaps where Archways excels best. Considering this was made on a still fairly modest budget, Orpheus and all else involved did a marvellous job putting this all together. It’s one of the best and most professionally looking independent projects I’ve seen; and even has names such as Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity) attached, who did the great cover art for the DVD.

To give you an idea of what I mean by ‘not taking themselves too seriously’, and the amusing mayhem of what happens behind the curtain, there are a few scenes in particular that stand out. One is of Matt Themelco jimmying open the safety box to a power board behind a pinball machine simply so that he could charge his phone; Dan’s pure look of shock and dismay when he discovered a connecting flight they were taking would actually take seven-and-a-half hours, as opposed to the six he’d thought at first; and a prank involving a condom and a hotel room door knob  (I’ll leave that one for you to find out yourself!).

Archways Across Asia also chronicles the infamous Singapore incident, in which, due to delays, Orpheus landed in Singapore at 9pm when show start was at 7. Something all bands seem to experience at least once, it is interesting to hear how Orpheus handled the situation, and also how important it is to think on your feet. Jumping right on stage, they blast right into it.

Attending Wake Up Festival in Taiwan, this was also Orpheus Omega’s “first full on open air festival” as Joao explains. Continuing on, he says, “We saw our stage, which was next to a giant, stacked chimney thing. So it was pretty fucking metal!” Playing in the rain and with circle pits at their front, Orpheus Omega are shown to tear up the stage no matter what area they’re in.

Offering up great little tidbits from the tour, vocalist Chris offers one of the best and most honest explanations I’ve heard about touring in a while: “Touring is basically spending all your time trying to catch as much sleep as you can between travelling, setting up your gear, being taken to places, going to soundcheck, and having as much fun as you can for that one hour or forty minutes, or whatever it is, which makes the entire thing worth it. So that every forty-eight hours that goes into that forty minutes of playing is totally fucking worth it!”

As someone who loves watching documentaries about life on the road for bands and behind the scenes footage, and in discovering what these people are really like when the lights are down and amps are off,  Archways Across Asia can’t be recommended enough. Whether you’re a long time fan of Orpheus from the days when they didn’t have the Omega suffix attached, if you’re a new comer, or if you’re simply just a metal fan, there is plenty to find enjoyment in with this release. It is one of the better independent Australian releases I have seen in some time.

Archways Across Asia is available now. Purchase yours here.

Track listing:
1. The Deconstruct – Wuhan/ China
2. Winds Of Change – Guangzhou/ China
3. Neath (the shadow of the monolith) – Busan/ South Korea
4. Fragments – Wake Up Festival/ Taiwan
5. Common Enemy – Wuhan/ China
6. Archways – Kaohsiung/ Taiwan
7. De6enerate – Wuhan/ China
8. Elegant Deceit – Guangzhou/ China
9. A Thousand Times – Kaohsiung/ Taiwan
10. Unscathed – Wake Up Festival/ Taiwan
11. ResIllusion – Hong Kong
12. The Abhorrent – Wuhan/ China
13. Sans Memoria – Changsha/ China
14. Sealed In Fate – Wake Up Festival/ Taiwan

Band: Orpheus Omega

DVD: Archways Across Asia

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria

Distributor: Independent release (local)

Year: 2014

About

Jonathon is an aspiring fantasy/sci-fi novelist and music journalist. Thanks to the influence of the music he grew up with, he has always possessed a keen interest in metal and rock. He is also a huge fan of mythology, legend, and folklore from all across the world. You should follow him on Twitter.