Ordh – Blind In Abyssal Realms
Release Date: 17th April 2026
Label: Pulverised Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Death Metal
FFO: Blood Incantation, Barishi, Morbus Chron, Inter Arma.
Review By: Aeons Burning
It was a shame when the great sludge band Barishi split up, because they had a pretty fantastic sound reminiscent of acts like Inter Arma and Anciients while maintaining their own fierce quality. However, in the wake of Barishi’s departure, a new project has arisen: Ordh. Ordh aren’t totally dissimilar to Barishi, but their main focus is in the longform progressive death metal realm, and debut Blind in Abyssal Realms is a very strong debut that has me eagerly looking forward to more of what Ordh can do.
There’s a few things that come to mind when the term progressive death metal gets thrown around – either it’s going to be djenty core-adjacent stuff or it’s going to be incredibly intriguing death metal that isn’t afraid to challenge the listener as to what their interpretation of this incredibly diverse genre can be. Thankfully, Ordh elect to take the latter path, and the result is a beautifully twisting, cosmic-at-times record that gives off strong Blood Incantation (especially Hidden History of the Human Race) vibes at the best of it. Opener Apis Bull is more of a purely death doom track, as it really takes the listener until Moon of Urd to really see Blind in Abyssal Realms start to peel back the many layers it has. Trippy guitar effects create a phenomenal cosmic atmosphere, and as Blind in Abyssal Realms goes on, there’s a deranged psychedelia feel to the whole thing that’s contact high inducing.
Ordh excel at writing long-form tracks, too, as both Phlegraean Fields and the title track are 10+ minute sprawling epics that never feel like they’re going on too long. What’s so impressive to me is that Ordh decided to go the more prog-filled progressive death metal route on their debut, and they write these long songs as effectively as they did when Barishi was still around. In fact, nothing on Blind in Abyssal Realms overstays its welcome, and there’s a great mix between absolute head-whipper riffs and prog noodling that I can’t get enough of.
Blind in Abyssal Realms is a great record that heralds the beginning of a new era for a very talented group of dudes. Barishi may be dead, but Ordh is the essence that lives on, and I love this style of tripped-out, nasty-sounding progressive death metal. There’s a certain spark here, and I think Ordh have grabbed it. All I hope is that they don’t let go, because this is a wonderful debut.
(4 / 5)
