Customer Reviews

Orion Prophecy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my review of Waterbone's first album (Tibet) back in November of 2001 I echoed the sentiments of my fellow-reviewers by praising this talented duo's debut release. I ended the review by appealing to Waterbone to cut another album soon, with great expectations of another unique and soul-satisfying musical experience. I am sorry to say that I can't join in with the other reviewers in their praise of Orion Prophecy, for I was sadly disappointed with this new release. I am not saying it has no merit, for there are a few standout tracks (such as "Hymn to Isis," "Sky Gods," and "Waterchild"), but it did not keep me mesmerized from beginning to end as Tibet did.

I really tried to love this album. Sometimes I listen to an album for the first time and it doesn't do anything for me, but with repeated listenings it grows on me and I end up loving it. This has not been the case with Orion Prophecy, for after listening to it many times all the way through, I am left feeling empty, with plans to only play about half of the tracks the next time I do listen to it. With Tibet there were no "skippers," for I absolutely loved each track.

In the final analysis, I guess it was mainly the vocals that made the difference between the 2 albums. The voices of Tibet were much more likeable and were not so pervasive. They allowed the exquisite instrumentation to be heard and enjoyed. But on Orion Prophecy I found many of the vocals (not all, but many) to be distracting, so much so that one of my favorites on the album is "Keeper of the Gates of Mars" because it is all instrumental.

I should add that Tibet also offered brighter melodies and sweet synthesizers (with a Tangerine Dream sound on many tracks) that blended in perfectly with the vocals.

Am I seeking, in this review, to dissuade you from buying this album? No, for you may very well like the Egyptian vocals and instrumentation, and thus enjoy the album throughout. You know the old saying, "Different strokes for different folks." But I would encourage you to listen seriously to some samples (preferably at a site that gives you longer samples than here) before laying down your hard-earned cash for an album that, in my opinion, doesn't hold a candle to the charming and seductive sounds of Tibet.

Just bought this CD as it was on sale, and found that the music is hypnotic, exotic.. you sort of lose yourself in the varied beat. There is some influence to club/techno but its not redundant styles, in fact, quite the opposite. Each song is unique and engaging. Some are slow and seductive, while others are very lively and danceable! I highly recommend this CD!!

I bought this CD tonight, and just finished listening to it. There is something magical about hearing the rhythms of languages from around the world. Add the pulsing beats and skilled mixes, and you have an aural treat. Listen to the samples on this page, and enjoy.

I thought that Waterbone's debut release "Tibet" was a standout adventure all of it's own and even to this day, it remains a spectacular, adventourous release for the ages. The follow-up entitled "Orion Prophecy" is as far removed as you could go from the debut's style. Even as I write this, I have a hard time believing that these two albums are by the same artists.

Enough with the comparisons, "Orion Prophecy" is an immensely powerful, enriching, and spiritually divine work of art like no other album that came out around this time. When I bought this album in late 2005, I had a hard time digesting it due to being spoiled by "Tibet" but as time wore on, it really started to grow on me and it is now such an amazing album that words could not do justice. A perfect nighttime album for a drive around the outskirts of town, "Orion Prophecy" features very innovative beats, haunting vocals, chants, and snare-like instruments from Egypt. If the album cover looks beautiful, you haven't seen anything yet until you listen to it.

"Keepers of the Gates of Mars" is among the most haunting tracks on the album which begins with a very scary ghostly ambiences which morphs into a trance-like track with metallic percussion instruments.

"Waterchild" though is among my favorite songs on this CD which has a frantic, somewhat classical orientation, and becomes a very fast-paced song with rain-like melodic keyboard effects. The song suddenly changes mood but remaining just as haunting as before.

"Orion Prophecy" is a must have album! Buy it today.

When I first listened to this CD, I was disappointed that it had a different feel from Tibet. At first listen, it seemed very 80s popish with too much electronica. But it has definitely grown on me. One of the things I like about Waterbone is that it is so beautiful to me I often become overwhelmed with emotion. While at first I didn't think that would happen with this CD, I now find it just as inspiring as Tibet.

The first reviewer said that Tibet had no skip songs, but there were two on that CD that I almost always skipped and none on this that I feel compelled to skip. In my opinion, the best tracks on this CD are Vision of Maati, Keepers of the Gates of Mars and Waterchild.

I loved Tibet and waterbone once more wrapped me in the blamket of the worlds sounds and magicall voices. Its a wonderful combo of Trance meets the the world sound, as I said it's Natasha Atlis meets Enigma in the full moon of an Egyptian night.
Listen enjoy and let your mind be your Pilot on a wonderous journey!

With this release, Waterbone has reached the pinnacle of their art. They have surpassed themselves and their former releases, and this one marks a kind of maturity and range that is only realized when the musicians have come into their own, and are well seasoned practitioners of their particular medium. The vocals are delicious, and along with the accompanying sighs and swells produced by Jones and Waldo, with their palpable instrumentation and various electronic percussion styles, the album resonates in the body and soul of the listener. Orion Prophecy should please various listeners, as the rhythm and melodies infect--as if by osmosis--the heart, as well as the psyche of all who are within hearing distance.
If you are interested in a gumbo for the aural appetite, you can't go wrong with Orion Prophecy. All I can say is, "Keep cookin' brothers!"