“Orange” is the fourth album by Dark Suns from Lutherstadt Wittenberg. On their past releases Dark Suns played progressive metal, but now they eschew the metal part. Make no mistake, Dark Suns can still be heavy as hell, but more in a rock context. At times their sound has affinities to stoner rockers Queens of the Stone Age, then again to Brit art rockers Porcupine Tree (especially on “Antipole”) – but they have their own idiosyncratic sound. I take the hellish opening of “That Is Why They All Hate You in Hell” with its castrato screaming as a joke directed at The Mars Volta, as this song displays clear influences by the US proggers. “Elephant” is heavy rock with high-pitched vocals, again more akin to QOTSA. “Scaleman” opens with some very compelling guitar/bass interplay, before the track abruptly turns into a balladesque piece with some heavier outbreaks strewn in. This is organic prog rock with an incredible dynamic range. Recommended listening: “Vespertine,” the multi-part suite “Antipole” and the meditative instrumental “Not Enough Fingers.” The extended edition includes acoustic songs and even one jazzy piece.

by artistxite