New Noise Magazine is currently hosting the exclusive premiere of “Eyes Like Clouds,” the new single from Florida post-metal/rock quartet ORBITER. The song is found on the band’s impending Head Wounds EP, which is nearing release next week through Salvaged Records.
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche, Jacuzzi Boys, Axis) at Sound Artillery Studios in Miami, ORBITER’s Head Wounds is overflowing with heavy riffs – purposeful ones that aren’t heavy just for the sake of it – which are artfully complimented by Jon Reinertsen’s soaring, sung vocals which can’t help but stay with you from the first listen. And the rhythm section is a straight-up hammer; the whole record feels like a relentless pulse, gnarly and gritty guitar and bass tones that for this listener are evocative of bands like Fu Manchu and Kyuss, but with a combo of head-nodding heaviness and melody (similarly to how Page Hamilton was able to coax melodies from chord arrangements where they weren’t obvious) that makes for something beyond catchy. Even though this four-song clocks in at nearly twenty-two minutes, you’re left wanting more when it stops spinning. The heavily personal subject matter elevates this from a listening to an experience. Heartfelt and heavy, this one is a gem.
With the release of “Eyes Like Clouds,” ORBITER guitarist Matt Walker reveals, “When we were pulling the songs together for this EP, the idea came up to reach out to Jonathan Nunez at Sound Artillery Studios to record them. Jonathan has a solid rep as an engineer and we’re also huge Torche fans and knew that he had recorded most, if not all, of their albums. Jonathan was down for it, and we loaded up our gear and headed to Miami. I feel like ‘Eyes Like Clouds’ exemplifies our recording experience at Sound Artillery. The song captures a little bit of everything out of ORBITER’s repertoire – heavy riffs, melodic vocals, a crushing rhythm section and a bit of experimentation. And Jonathan helped us dial in the exact sounds we had in our minds before we could even fully express them to him. Jonathan also challenged us to make it better – with every song on the EP. His passion for recording, enthusiasm for the songs and constructive guidance pushed us to lay down the best takes we could. It was an awesome experience, and we were really stoked on how the songs came out.”
Stream ORBITER’s “Eyes Like Clouds” first through New Noise Magazine now at THIS LOCATION.
Salvaged Records will release ORBITER’s Head Wounds on 12” black vinyl in a run of 300 copies and digitally next Friday, November 11th. Find preorders at the label webshop HERE, and watch the previously released “Hellmates” video HERE.
ORBITER performed songs from the EP last weekend as part of the massive annual The Fest in their hometown alongside Hot Water Music, The Menzingers, Anti Flag, Bouncing Souls, Piebald, Samiam, The Flatliners, Avail, Against All Authority, The Suicide Machines, Cursive, and many others. Watch for additional shows to be announced shortly.
A group of longtime Gainesville music lifers who have collectively contributed to the city and region’s scene for many years, ORBITER’s sound is both reflective of its surroundings and of prior decades and eras of rock, yet boasts a hook-laden, current vibrancy. Vocalist/guitarist Jon Reinertsen also plays drums in Whiskey & Co. and has formerly drummed for Rose Cross, Towers of Hanoi, The Takers, and many other punk and hardcore bands. Lead guitarist Matt Walker has played guitar in Human Parts alongside members of Against Me! and Whiskey & Co. and is the published author of the book Gainesville Punk: A History Of Bands. Bassist Jonathan Hamilton played guitar in Escape Grace, and Cutman with members of Gunmoll and Unitas. Drummer Brad Purvis plays drums in Averkiou, and has previously played in Moonbeard, Supertwin, and the band I Love You with members of Dove.
ORBITER released their Slow Revolution debut EP in 2014 – originally recorded under their prior moniker The Yams. In 2019, under the new banner, they released their debut LP, Southern Failures, which properly solidified their sound and place in the local scene. Having marinated this established sound over several years, the quartet honed their craft into their most cohesive and hook-laden work yet on their newest offering, Head Wounds.
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