Orthodox – A Door Left Open
Release Date: 6th June 2025
Orthodox are a powerhouse of a metal band. Time and time again they prove themselves as a force of unconventional chaos and destruction, with this new album A Door Left Open, cementing that reputation in a way that should see them gifted the recognition they truly deserve. This is the fourth studio album from the Tennessee metal outfit, and a listening experience that shows you how it feels to have your sense of comfort and routine violated through the chaos of the guitars and aggression of the vocals packaged together with unrelenting drums throughout.
From the second the first track ‘Can You Save Me’ begins, you are assaulted by Orthodox’s fusion of chaotic rhythms and pushed-to-the-breaking-point riffs, but fear not, this chaos is simply a vehicle to deliver immense groove created by relentless chugs, harmonics and squeals from guitarist Austin Evans and built upon by drummer Mike White.
Some of the moments in this album are even reminiscent of 90s nu-metal in their hypnotic groove, such as ‘Blend In With The Weak’ featuring Boundaries Matt McDougal. While this groove and attitude is present, this track (as with all the others from the album) is free of the corny tropes that caused nu-metal to die off. In fact, it would at points be safe to say this album exists on the fine line between metal and hardcore that feels fresh and vibrant in a time when so much of metalcore has become so formulaic.
Venturing through this album we come to some very special and stand out moments, like the intro to single ‘Sacred Place’. The harmonics through this song signal exactly what vocalist Adam Esterling has been clipped saying at various live sets over the last few months prior to the single’s release “You’re not f*****g not safe anymore”. And yet, even through all the ferocity and intensely high energy, the band has the audacity to bring this back slower and harder for the breakdown. At this point in the album it feels like you’ve been hit by a train for the tenth time in a row.
This album overall captures some of the magic that early Knocked Loose had in the fact it is so eagerly and unashamedly in your face with every facet of Orthodox’s sound. It’s noisy, ignorant, uneasy and scary. It’s so far from what has become orthodox in modern metal (pardon the pun), and that is what makes it special. This marks a point in the band’s career where they make their mark on metal and emerge out of the underground. Orthodox will be touring the US in June following the release of this album, supported by Mugshot, Omerta, and Fromjoy. One of the most fitting line-ups for the devastation this collection of riffs and breakdowns is set to cause. From here, we are eager to see Orthodox get their flowers.