Orchid Sign Of The Witch EP

*This review was originally posted in 2015 on our old website*

San Francisco’s Orchid has returned with a new EP entitled Sign of the Witch, REJOICE!!!! If you don’t know anything this band, pull up a chair and allow me to introduce you to the second coming of Black Sabbath! These Californians have been around for a few years and have been making some loud noise in the Stoner Rock scene. Personally, I was a little late on finding the band, but I did manage to come in on the tail end of the hoopla surrounding their magnificent full-length release, Capricorn. Since this release, the band has landed a major deal with Nuclear Blast Records and have issued two eps and another full length. Make no mistake about it, Orchid proudly wears the influences on their sleeve – Sabbath all the way. The band doesn’t shy away from the Sabbath love – at this current moment in time they out Sabbath, Sabbath themselves.

Getting into Sign of the Witch, Orchid, are keeping that late 60’s/early 70’s vibe going. There’s a bit of the Hendrix Psychedelia happening in “Helicopters”, but the band also unload a great deal of rip-romping riffage. I’d be remiss if I didn’t note how the bass riffs drive and move this tune – crazy good, also moments of Sabbath’s “War Pigs” come to mind. “John the Tiger” is one of those fun loving off-beat tracks that’ll have you stomping your hands and clapping your feet with lots of melody and earthy bass tones backed by vintage 70’s era vocals. Title track, “Sign of the Witch” is the tune that’s a definite must hear for all who’ve come to admire the band, and they don’t disappoint, they bring it hard with rolling drum fills, vivacious riffs and a lead break like something you’d hear blasting out of an old Camaro! The last track on the EP is entitled “Strange Winds” in typical Orchid fashion, the band offers another slow mesmerizing track featuring elegant percussion, subtle guitar melodies and moments that recall lost memories of Jim Morrison and the amazing Doors.

If you’re looking for something with screaming vocals, blast-beats and useless guitar noodling, this isn’t for you. However, if you’re into the Doors, Black Sabbath and groove-oriented Rock music that paints beautiful pictures of everything that’s perfect about Heavy music, then pick this album up! For the vinyl freaks out there, this has been released on wax too. All hail the mighty Orchid and bless them abundantly, so that they may continue to release these incredible time capsules of Heavy Rock.

~Black Angel