Echo Scale™: ★★★★ (4.5)
Echo Rebel Dive into the Brooding, Bombastic Brilliance of Orchid Symmetry’s Latest Single!
Hailing from Cornwall (the best bit of the UK. I recognise some of those bits of Truro, Pard), the three-piece powerhouse that is Orchid Symmetry has been making significant noise. Comprising Damian Karl Wilde, Will Spears, and Chris Hill, this trio has carved out a niche described by BBC Introducing as “high energy, magnificent, and ferocious.” They promise a blend of punk’s raw grit, metal’s unbridled power, and alternative rock’s melodic charm. And with their latest single, “Like the Sun,” they don’t just deliver on that promise; they practically smash it over your head.
Drumming Up Trouble (Albeit sometimes a bit quietly)
Let’s cut right to the chase: if you’re a sucker for a drum intro that hits you like a surprise pasty to the face – full of flavour and utterly unexpected – then “Like the Sun” is your new jam. Chris Hill’s initial assault on the kit is shit-hot. It’s hard-hitting, it’s urgent, and it immediately sets a scene of controlled chaos. This isn’t just a beat; it’s a statement, declaring loudly, “You’re in for a ride, buckle up, buttercup!”
The entire drum performance, truth be told, is technically solid and drives the song forward with a relentless, purposeful energy. However, and this is us being nit-picky (because we care!), once that glorious wall of sound from the bass and guitars crashes in, those magnificent drums sometimes feel like they’re having a shy moment. A little tweak in the mix, a touch more volume, and some clever EQ could truly let them fill those frequency gaps that aren’t already being used by the guitars. Think of it as a perfectly brewed pint; it just needs that last little top-up to be absolutely perfect.
Basslines That Bite
Now, let’s talk bass. If the drums are the heart of this beast, then the bass is undoubtedly its sinewy, powerful limbs. Will Spears on bass channels a gorgeous, thick tone that immediately drew comparisons in our humble ears to the kind of monstrous, satisfying low-end saturation Muse excels at. When this song puts its foot down, the bass doesn’t just fill the low end; it owns it, demanding your attention and making your speakers sweat.
There’s even a delightfully unexpected nod to some of Daniel Lioneye’s less-trodden paths in the bassline, which, let’s be honest, is a deep cut we rarely hear these days. It’s cool, it’s confident, and it adds an extra layer of brooding intensity that makes “Like the Sun” stand out from the crowd.
Guitar Slinger’s Delight
But for my money, the true star of this constellation are the guitars. Damian Karl Wilde’s craftsmanship here is just chef’s kiss. The clean tones in the verses? Oh boy. They possess a kind of warped, slightly unsettling cowboy vibe that’s genuinely captivating. It’s the sound of a lone rider on a psychedelic desert, and it utterly does it for us.
And when the song truly unleashes its fury, those guitars become beefy, gloriously saturated, and just fuzzy enough to snag your attention like a barbed hook. The atmospheric semi-solo that kicks in around the two-minute mark is swimming in reverb – a sea we don’t always choose to drown in – but Orchid Symmetry pulls it off with such panache, painting a sonic picture that’s both crazy and undeniably sexy. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to blend detailed performance with an authentic simplicity, just tarted up enough to really pop.
Voice of the Wild (With a Hint of Valo)
Vocally, “Like the Sun” presents a performance steeped in character. There are moments where you’ll swear you’re hearing the velvety, melancholic tones of Ville Valo (HIM), but then the vocalist (Damian Karl Wilde again, for those keeping score!) throws in a raw, powerful push that brings to mind Matt Bellamy (Muse) hitting his stride.
While it might not be a vocal performance that aims to set the world on fire with stratospheric notes, it doesn’t need to be. This is a performance perfectly tailored to the song, delivered with unwavering true-to-character grit. The vocalist’s ability to paint a vivid picture with his voice shines through, unifying the frantic sex appeal, the brooding cool, and the underlying craziness of the track.
The Echo Rebel Verdict: Catch ‘Em While They’re Hot!
“Like the Sun” by Orchid Symmetry is an eclectic song that, despite its varied influences, maintains a structure that shifts just enough to keep you hooked. It’s unmistakably cool, brooding, and a little bit crazy, all delivered with a kind of frantic sex appeal that’s utterly infectious.
These guys are more than “ones to watch” – they’re ones to listen to, right now. We can easily imagine “Like the Sun” tearing up the dance floor in your favourite local dive bar, inspiring sweaty singalongs. But in equal measure, we can see this track igniting pure, unadulterated pandemonium in massive festival tents at Reading or Leeds. It possesses that rare blend of universal radio appeal while fiercely clinging to its authenticity and gritty soul.
So, go forth and bask in the chaotic glow of “Like the Sun.” Orchid Symmetry, you’ve delivered a really well-made song. Keep up the good work; the world needs more of this ferocity.
