Release Date - 25.5.18 Record Label - Long Branch Records Track Listing My Favourite Stranger Burn Celebrity Summer Wires Blacklight Shadow Pray to the Creature Vertigo Mouth of the Wolf Pins and Needles Toru's Maze Years I first became aware of Black Orchid Empire catching them support InMe on their most recent tour. I liked them enough to buy the last album 'Archetype' from the merch stand. They told me they have a new one coming out soon and this is it. I'm not going to pretend like I knew what 'Yugen' meant and for those of you that would like to know, it's a Japanese word for 'Subtle yet profound beauty'. I think it's an ambitious title having listened to it a few times but there is a ring a truth to it. Black Orchid Empire are not your typical alt metal band. Whilst bringing the heavy syncopated riffs they never lose sight of melody. Combined with clean almost pop like vocals they tread a fine line that lands them in...

  Venue - The Hairy Dog, Derby 7.5.2018 Line up Black Orchid Empire Tigress InMe   It's a bank holiday Monday and it's red hot. After spending the day at work I decide the spend the end of the day in a sweaty venue watching one of my current favourite bands (InMe) and 2 bands I've never heard of before. The first band up is Black Orchid Empire. I admit when they first walked on I thought I was in for some down-tuned screaming metal. What I actually got was a good, clear, and melodic voice with spot on harmonies provided by the bass player. There were still some heavy riffs combined with some non standard time signatures though. I was very impressed and bought a CD and listened to it on the way home. It's good but doesn't do the live show justice. If they come back near me I'll definitely try to see them again. Tigress were next up but I have to say the music was not for me. Don't let that put you off goin...