Orchid - Doing things like Ozzy Osbourne!!!

**3/4

Orchid need to put on a show!

Graspop Festival 

Orchid **3/4 (Main Stage 2) are a band that a lot of people have been talking about at the moment, but would they live up to the hype. I have listened to the records, and I think they sound great so was looking forward to this one. Starting things off with a distinctive Stoner Rock riff, sounding like they have just lifted it from a classic Black Sabbath song. But Orchid are a band with a great back catalogue of their own songs, giving bands like Electric Wizard and Orange Goblin a run for their money.

They start off well getting everyone into their early morning groove, and singer Theo Mindell does have some great chops on him and he really does look like a young Ozzy Osbourne. Yes! the hair and the clothes, it's a little weird... but kind of cool at the same time. But you have to remember that Ozzy was a real showman, and I think Theo has not quite got their yet. They open things up with a track that is not one of my favourites 'Eastern Woman', it does have a good groove to it.

But I  do think they have better songs in their arsenal that they could have started things off with, like their second song in the set and the title track to their last album of the same name 'The Mouths of Madness', which was their most popular commercially so far. Orchid are a band that really know how to put together a good Classic Rock / Stoner song, in the way it was always meant to be and their lyrics are really good. Which they display in tracks like the single 'Capricorn' and the brilliant 'Black Funeral'.

I would put on their CD anytime and chill listening to it while working on my computer or chilling with friends. I just think that their live show is a little stale and boring, Yes! the music sounds great... but it is meant to be a live show and standing still just rockin' your heads back and forth does not really work for me. I have paid to see a show, and God damn! I want a show... so Orchid you need to do more. Ok you could just chill and listen to the music, having a picnic... but at ten Euro's a burger I don't think my budget would stretch to a whole picnic.

I also think they get a little complacent near the end of the bands set with 'Eyes behind the Wall' sounding like they are playing it behind a massive wall, and they are struggling to get out. By the time they have got to 'He who walks Alone' and 'Wizard of War', I am a little bored and the brilliant vocals and killer guitar riffs are just not enough for me. I also can see people around me, that are feeling the same.

So the band have really lost the crowd and everyone is thinking who is on next, which is a real shame. I would buy anything that Orchid bring out, because the music is great. But I would not find myself running out to buy a ticket to see them live. So I will probably see them next time at another festival, where I will give them a second chance... they do make some killer songs.

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour 

Check Out! the Video for 'Capricorn' Below...