ORPHARION hailing from Istanbul, Turkey were formed in 2008. The symphonic Metal outfit were active until 2012, and then from 2016 onwards. Their debut full-length album “A Faraway World” was produced, mixed, and mastered by guitarist Kublai Kapsalis (INNER MISSING). The album has a length of about 49 minutes, and it was released via Romanian label Sleaszy Rider Records, which has many Heavy, Doom, and Gothic Metal bands among their current roster. The album starts with a short guitar-driven pre-lude to “My Heart Draws A Dream”. It is a mid-tempo track with powerful guitar riffing, supported by double-bass drumming. The female vocals vary between the medium to higher part of the vocal range. There are a few subtle changes in tempo and rhythm throughout the track. The break is driven by a contributing lead guitar solo. Overall, the melodies are dark with a few melancholic traces. “Lurking Truth” is slightly slower than the opening track. The guitar riffing is thunderous, tight, and supported by prominent orchestral arrangements, led by the strings. The melodic framework remains dark and has some similarities to the opening track. Guitars and drums are less prominent and provide mainly the rhythmic section, while the arrangements drive the track forward. The break slows down the tempo and is lead by powerful riffs accompanied by the strings. At the heart of the break, there is another contributing lead guitar solo. As the track goes on, guitars and drums get more prominent, and the track finishes off with a bit of guitar shredding and the double-bass. “Fire Mountain” is a classical mid-tempo track with heavy guitar riffs, strong basslines, and catchy melodies. The melodies are dark, in particular during the verse parts, while the choruses are almost anthemic and deliver the hook for the track. “Fire Mountain” is a pretty heavy track, but is also a catchy delivery, and it is not surprising that it has been released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below.

“Sleep Well” starts with a guitar-driven intro transitioning into the verse part at a measured tempo. The guitar riffing is thunderous, accompanied by strong basslines and orchestral arrangements. The vocals use many higher to operatic notes during the chorus part. The guitar riffing is tight during the choruses and supported by a lot of double-bass drumming and the strings. The melodies are grim with a few bits of melancholy in them. “Majestic Lights” goes back to mid-tempo and with heavy guitar riffs. The melodies are a bit more positive compared to previous tracks and they have a lot of catchiness, especially during the choruses, which are almost a bit anthemic. The break is introduced by strong basslines and in its center is an excellent lead guitar solo, which is the highlight of the track. “Song Of The Exciled Ones” starts with the piano and the vocals. As the track goes on, more instruments join in: the strings, the brass, and the cymbals. The vocals use a lot of deeper notes during the verse parts. It takes a while for the Metal instruments to contribute, but when they start, the guitar riffing and the basslines are crushing. “Song Of The Exciled Ones” is a slow track, but not the classical ballad.

“The Storyteller” is a mixture of mid-tempo and measured tempo, where the slower parts are with the verse parts and the faster parts are with the choruses. The guitar riffing is tight, and the basslines are crunching. There are little orchestral arrangements, but there is a piano being prominent at times. The melodies are dark once again, and there are some melancholic elements in the melodies. The lead guitar solo is very contributing and the highlight of the track once again. “Dead Marshes” starts with an extended guitar part leading into the slow verse part. The verse part is mainly a matter of the guitars, the arrangements in the background, and the vocals. It takes about three minutes until bass and drums join in, and powerful guitar riffs take over. The track remains at a slow tempo during the first half, and this part of the track has ballad-esque features. The melodies are dark and melancholic. After the first five minutes, the track changes its nature completely: it becomes seamlessly a crushing track at mid-tempo, with tight and devastating guitar riffing, and crushing basslines. A lead guitar solo is added to the mix as well. Near the end, the track circles back to its beginning. “Dead Marshes” is with more than 10 minutes playing time the longest album song and surely one of the album highlights. “Broken Seal” is the last song of the album, and it starts with powerful guitar riffing accompanied by the strings at mid-tempo. The verse part slows down led by the vocals. There are twists and turns in tempo and rhythm throughout the track with heavier, guitar-driven parts alternating with quiet parts. “Broken Seal” is not the strongest ending of the album, “Dead Marshes” would have been the better one.

ORPHARION deliver a traditional symphonic Metal album. “A Faraway World” is a dark album, driven by a smart mixture of heavy guitar riffing, orchestral arrangements, and dark but catchy melodies which are melancholic at times. The lead guitar contributions are among the album highlights. The album sound is kept well together by the versatile vocals. The album is well produced. “A Faraway World” is a very promising album and fans of symphonic Metal will like what they hear.