Orden Ogan Germany

"I always feel like I'm running somewhat of a risk when I dive into some power metal, because - as some of you might know - cheesy music does not sit well with me, and power metal has a reputation for being very cheesy at times.

And with their folk- and symphony-induced power metal on "Vale", Orden Ogan have several cheesy moments. It's not dangerously cheesy, and there are lost of hard-hitting tracks on this album, which certainly help the listener navigate safely through the seas of cheese. But, still, there are too many ballady moments and plasticy keyboards and too much pompousness for my taste.

It's not like the music is bad or anything. The Orden Ogan guys are very good musicians and the tracks are multifaceted with lots of layers built upon the guitar riffs, of which there are several aggressive and groovy ones.

Recommended to fans of European (cheesy) power metal, but those who prefer in-yer-face rock should listen to Firewind or Harrow or Rawhead Rexx or something like that instead.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"