Swedish melodic death metal band Orbit Culture, known for their dynamic range and unique songwriting prowess, has just released a three-song EP titled The Forgotten, exclusively through digital platforms.
This release, available via Seek & Strike, is a special gesture of gratitude towards their dedicated fanbase. The EP kicks off with the track "While We Serve," accompanied by a visualizer, adding a horror movie vibe that the band's vocalist and guitarist Niklas Karlsson particularly admires. The EP, while stemming from the creative process of their latest album Descent, stands independently with its unique experimental flair.
Niklas Karlsson elaborates on the EP: "During the writing of our latest album Descent, we felt that the songs ‘Sound of The Bell’ and ‘The Upheaval' had a similar feel to the rest of the album, but they turned out to be way more experimental in the final recording stages. As it progressed, they simply felt more out of place. Heading home from the latest tour supporting Avatar, we knew we needed one more song to glue these two together and shortly thereafter, ‘While We Serve’ was born. It was the perfect glue to tie all the songs together and the cherry on the top for a new piece work to be presented. So, even though it’s a continuation of Descent, it turned out to be a release that could live independently.
“The EP kicks off with 'While We Serve’ and it has a horror movie vibe going on, which I love. It’s fast, kind of old school, but of course, with the modern twists. One track that also stands out for me is 'Sound of The Bell' which, lyrically, I believe was the most difficult one I’ve ever written to date. I delved into the mass shootings and that sort of violence that’s on the news almost every day now. I think I really had to choose my words right and be very careful to show my utmost respect for people who’ve been faced with this cruelty, chaos and grieving, especially since I’ve never been in a situation like that myself.
"These last two to three years have really changed our lives. Everything goes so fast that it is sometimes difficult to stand back and put some perspective on it. You’re always on the hunt for the next thing. Coming home from this busy year, everything starts to creep in; for example, we opened up for Meshuggah six times, month-long tours with Avatar in the US two times, and had a blast for two weeks in the UK supporting Trivium. It’s hard to understand still, remembering that you’ve looked up to these bands for so many years, and now you’re out there becoming friends with them? It’s surreal. And the backbone of it all is, of course, our beloved fans, who I believe would go through fucking fires for us. They are the most dedicated and supportive group of people I’ve ever seen, and everyone is so lovely and polite. We wouldn’t be here without them and this EP is for them."
Orbit Culture, formed in Eksjö in 2013 by Niklas Karlsson and Maximilian Zinsmeister, quickly gained attention in the local metal scene. Their journey began with the release of their debut EP Odyssey in 2013, which garnered local interest and led to their first shows in their hometown. The positive response fueled the creation of their first full-length album In Medias Res, released in 2014, followed by a music video for the song "Obscurity." After some lineup changes and the departure of Zinsmeister, the band continued to evolve, releasing their second album Rasen in 2016, which heated up their presence in the underground metal community.
In 2018, Orbit Culture released the single "Saw," a precursor to their EP Redfog. This release, along with subsequent singles "See Through Me" and "Redfog," achieved commercial success, each amassing over a million streams across various platforms. Further lineup changes occurred in 2019 with the departure of drummer Markus Bladh and the addition of Christopher Wallerstedt. The same year marked a milestone for the band as they embarked on their first tour outside Sweden, opening for bands like Rivers of Nihil and Black Crown Initiate.
Their album Nija, released in 2020 under Seek & Strike Records, received multiple positive reviews and included singles like "Nensha" and "Rebirth." The album's intense and challenging nature was a testament to Karlsson's evolving songwriting influenced by bands like Metallica, Gojira, and Behemoth. In 2021, the band released their third EP Shaman, with Karlsson noting the influence of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" on the track "A Sailor's Tale".
The new EP The Forgotten is another step in Orbit Culture's journey, reflecting their growth and exploration in the metal genre. Karlsson's comments on the EP emphasize the band's dedication to their fans and their continuous pursuit of musical evolution.
