5RAND hailing from Rome, Italy were formed in 2015. The melodic Death Metal outfit release their third full-length album. "Ordhalia" was mastered by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH; ARCH ENEMY; BEHEMOTH). The album has a length of 36 min, and it was released via Spanish melodic Death Metal, Groove Metal, and Heavy Metal specialists Art Gates Records. The album starts with the dark, piano-driven pre-lude "Lullaby For The Broken", followed by the crushing "Bloodlife". It is a mixture of a fast and mid-tempo track with devastating guitar riffing. The vocals are growls varying between the deep and medium end of the guttural range. The melodies are chilling. The break offers a fine and contributing lead guitar solo. "Bloodlife" has been released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. The title track has a powerful start at a measured tempo with a few Gothic vibes. However, there is an unexpected twist shortly after the start, leading to a frantic verse part at insane pace with punishing guitar riffs, double-bass drumming and a few blast-beats. The vocals are very intense and aggressive. The chorus parts slow down towards measured tempo with epic melodies, and they include clean vocals. "Ordhalia" is a track, where the vocalist can shine and Julia Elenoir grabs this opportunity by delivering her full range in both, guttural and clean vocals, and also in terms of emotions ranging from aggressive growls to very fragile and emotional clean vocals.

"The Nihilist" increases intensity and aggression in terms of guitar riffing and vocals. The guitar riffing is devastating but also delivers a few grooves accompanied by a lot of double-bass drumming during the verse parts. The guest vocals are delivered by Milo Silvestro (FEAR FACTORY), who offers also the clean vocal part. Both vocalists perform very well together, and this gives the track an additional layer. After plenty of aggression and pace, there is a drastic change in sound, and "Double Bind" is the album ballad. It is a slow track with powerful guitar riffs and dark melodies. The vocals offer a mix of clean and growling vocals and screams, where the clean vocals are mostly highly pitched. Both clean and guttural are performed together during the choruses, which adds additional strength and power to the track. "Double Bind" is one of those songs that give goosebumps, and it is ultimately an album highlight. "Turbid" goes back to the typical album sound. It is a mixture of fast and mid-tempo parts. The guitar riffing is tight and powerful, while the melodies are grim, in particular during the choruses. The break offers a very contributing lead guitar solo as well as a short clean vocal contribution. "Ritual Of Silence" has an epic start at a measured tempo, leading into a mid-tempo verse part. There are plenty of twists and turns in tempo and rhythm, ranging from very powerful and thunderous parts to frantic and aggressive parts supported by blast-beat thunderstorms. The break offers an extended lead guitar solo, which carries most of the classical melodeath vibes.

After a few opening exchanges, "Lethargy" develops quickly into a track with aggressive verse parts at insane pace, while the choruses and break deliver the grim melodic framework at measured tempo. Most of the vocals are growls, but there is some clean vocal support as well, which gives the track something extra. The guitar riffing is thunderous during the mid-tempo parts of the track, and the lead guitar solo is one of the track highlights. "Resurge In Death" starts with a tension-building intro, leading into the mid-tempo verse part. The verses are crushing deliveries with punishing guitar riffs, while the choruses offer the dark melodies. Once again, clean vocals are added during the choruses and the break. The chorus melodies are catchy and have a few Gothic vibes. The break comes at a measured tempo and is introduced by the clean vocals leading into an excellent lead guitar solo. The album finishes with "Silent Line". It is a mid-tempo track with plenty of aggression in the riffing and growls during the verse parts, while the choruses add dark and melancholic melodies at a measured tempo. The vocals here are a mix of guttural and clean. Once again, the break is opened by the clean vocals leading into a very contributing lead guitar solo.

5RAND arguably deliver their best album to date. "Ordhalia" offers a multi-dimensional sound and a mixture of different genres and styles. While the basis is melodic Death Metal, there are also Groove Metal and melodic Metal elements, as well as some Gothic twists. The album songs are very versatile but follow a clear structure and a dark melodic framework. Highlight of the album are the vocals as Julia Elenoir blends various vocal styles perfectly together and delivers some emotional performances. The vocals give the album an extra dimension. The album is well produced. "Ordhalia" is one of the melodic Death Metal highlights this year, since it goes beyond genre boundaries. The album is a must-have for extreme Metal fans.