The last year has been eventful for UK’s Orion. Between releasing a wonderful album called The Lightbringers to the controversy with Dream Theater’s album art, Orion has achieved more visibility than ever. When that happens, what should a band do? Release an epic album, of course! And that’s exactly what Orion is about to do with Into Darkness. The new record releases on August 16th.
Orion is Ben Jones. He handles all the vocals and instruments with ease. He does bring with him Matthew Dolmage of the band Versa on flutes for one track. This project is more or less completely Ben, and I think that is a strength.
Ben plays progressive rock, pureblooded, but with some twists. This album is heavier and more kinetic than his past works, featuring some truly fun and heart pumping instrumentals that are instantly likeable. I like the way he tweaks certain tracks to give them more flavor, like 80s synth or towering cinema.
He also writes great lyrics. Into Darkness is about the capacity for darkness in each of us, and how the fastest way for that darkness to come to light is denying it exists at all. The album covers everything from fathers to social media victims to those who have experienced loss. The lyrics are potent and relatable.
The album has seven tracks and they are great. The opener “Father’s Love” is particularly compelling from a lyrical standpoint, this idea that fathers fail but we might fail just as badly. The song is muscular and really rocks. “Someday” follows and I love the twist of 80s synthwave and a little djent. It sounds really good, even I daresay fun, and the powerful guitars and bass really sell it. “Ordinary Men” follows, and this one is a brooding, darker piece that feels stark and honest, but it might also be the catchiest song on the record.
Into Darkness only gets stronger in the second half. “Left Behind” is an emotional piece about losing a loved one, being supported by friends and family, only to feel left behind after they move on with their lives. It is full of great riffs and ponderous moments. “The Ant” comes next, and is a vibrant, bass-driven instrumental that is, to put it bluntly, so damn cool. The melodic, riffy drive is simply fantastic.
The final two tracks are the titular suite, so to speak. The first part is called “The Antidote to Life” and has a terrific bass groove, connecting so well with the guitar solos. I love how the final moments are cinematic and epic. The closer is “Bleeding Hearts”, and it is my favorite. This song deals with people painting a plastic reality for social media, some trying to become influencers, and how there is a wholesomeness in living an ordinary life, and in helping others find that light, too. The song is beautiful and hovering, and though it has some rocking segments, the overall atmosphere is melodic, even celestial. I really like the electronic elements that play a significant role, too. Ben is great at writing gorgeous closers.
Into Darkness is just as good as The Lightbringers, if not a little better. The album has muscle and strength, not only in its excellent guitars and voluptuous bass, but also in the stories it tells. Orion will hopefully stick around to release another album because I have a feeling he has plenty of ideas.
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The PROG Mind 
The Lightbringers album was released on August 16th too 🙂
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