THE ORDEAL – Descent From Hell (2012)

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German rockers THE ORDEAL have been around the business for quite a while now, touring all over Europe after their debut in 2004.

Many years has passed by, but now we have the band’s new recording “Descent From Hell”, where musically they are at the top of their game.

The Ordeal has a traditional metal / hard rock style with many influences, but despite their origin the band has not the typical Teutonic sound, they are more, let’s say, British oriented.

In “Descent From Hell” imagine a combination of Dio, first Yngwie and Rob Rock’s Driver and you know what to expect when you decide to take this baby home.

The band adds as well some progressive touches to their music making it even more interesting.

There are some great individual moments on the album, and while most of the heavier sections are really effective, it’s the arty, progressive infused sections that really makes The Ordeal’s material different and distinctive.

A good example of this is the acoustic ballad “Dragon Tears” that sounds like Tony Martin and Marillion’s Fish doing a duet, or the massive operatic sounding closing track “Hellsgate” that features a clearly Brian May inspired lead break that will excite any guitar lovers out there.

And also, last but not least, “Here Comes The Flood”. Some of you may recognise the title as a Peter Gabriel song – yes, this is a cover – and the band does a great job with it. While the basic elements of the original are still clearly heard, The Ordeal have taken what was already a great song and tinkered with it by adding a very epic feel to it, sort of like a heavier version of Queen, and once again some really inspired lead guitar work and a very impressive vocal performance from Oliver Oppermann.

Talking about Mr. Oppermann, the man is a revelation. He is the Tony Martin of the new century. At times reminds me another fine young vocalist; Patrick Johansson (Astral Doors).

His performance through the whole recording is truly impressive with enough variation to display his huge multi-octave range with an amazing feel & sensibility (“Dragon Tears”, “Second Sun”) but also a faultless dynamic diction on the uptempo songs. His style is almost theatrical also recalling on places the great Jorn Lande.

But musically, The Ordeal is orchestrated by guitar player and mastermind Kai Reuter (ex-Viva / Fair Warning), and he deserves a lot of credit for this impactful recording.

Reuter is a complete six-string player with tons of variation going from intense shredding as heard on title track “Descent From Hell” to an insane rhythmic in “Cybercross” or “Letter Of Time”, sensitive soft melodious soloing (“Dragon Tears”) and almost Schenker-like licks in “Here Comes The Flood”.

He delivers fluid legato runs in “Black Rain” and clean speed picking on “The Innocent”. Even with the nylon classical guitar his tone is still perfect.

With “Descent From Hell”, The Ordeal have gone right up into my ‘keep an eye on it’ bands list.

This Hannover based act (now a quintet) have grown and matured in all aspects. All are truly excellent musicians and together can write and play some amazing stuff.

As said, Oppermann’s pipes and Router’s stunning guitar work steals the show, but all are supported by the versatile drumming style of Michael Fromm that goes a long way making the shifts in style and colour convincing.

For the recording, Kai Router not only play all the guitars, also has handled the rigorous bass lines. If it was not enough he is at charge of the very good production and mix as well, while legend Michael Wagener mastered the whole thing.

If you need to listen a rockin’ band that offers up something a little different than the typical metal flare, definitely give “Descent From Hell” a go.

01 – Descent From Hell

02 – Black Rain

03 – Dragon Tears

04 – Here Comes The Flood

05 – Cyber Cross

06 – Second Sun

07 – The Innocent

08 – Dance With The Devil

09 – Letter Of Time

10 – Sinner’s Addiction

11 – Hellsgate

Oliver Oppermann – Vocals

Kai Reuter – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Micha Fromm – Drums

Hannes Vesper – Bass

Dirk Rogon – Guitar

Mike Baring, Klaus Henseleit – Backing Vocals

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