Sometimes slow and low just does it for me. I love stoner, sludge, doom, and post-metal the most for these itches and our premiere today has at least a little touch of all of that. Orbiter hail from Gainesville, Florida, an area that influences their sound just as they’ve pitched in their own contributions to it over the years. This symbiotic relationship makes for some rousing rock music – today, it comes in the form of their new track “Hellmates” off of their upcoming Head Wounds EP releasing digitally on November 11 via Salvaged Records. It comes complete with a fun, heady video, fresh for your eyes right here:
“Hellmates” is a pounding affair with really deliberate, driving rhythms on bass and drums. Guitar also become part of the foundation with sturdy riffing throughout that bleeds into the rhythm with its weight and repetition. Vocals float just about the gritty tones of the instrumentation to provide a guiding light through it all. It’s simple, but effective – the large space the track commands is never left empty or wanting for more. Even during the breaks between explosive moments, that pervasive melody continues the whole time and worms its way into your head like the historical footage of a lobotomy that’s used in the video.
The band are keen and confident from years in the game, but still never seem to leave behind the levity in what they do – a boon when it comes to coming off as a truly genuine act. When it came to making the video, guitarist Matt Walker shares his thoughts:
‘Shooting this video was a super fun experience. This was the first time we had worked on a music video together as a band. [Director] Corey Fischer has awesome skills, and helped conceptualize a loose, fun narrative around the lyrics of “Hellmates”. It totally captures the vibe of the song without being heavy-handed. Corey and Jeremy McGuire (Salvaged Records benevolent label boss) were total pros at filming our ridiculousness and brought in some great ideas for the shoot.’
“Hellmates” is just a cool track, there’s no two ways about it. It conjures interest in the band due to how Orbiter handle themselves as a band and deal with the fundamentals of rock in their music. If fun-flavored heaviness is what you’re into, then you’ll join me in the not-so-long wait to their next EP. Head Wounds comes out on November 11 on digital platforms. You can order vinyl for the project which should ship around the same time from Salvaged Records. Do yourself, and the band, a favor and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp!
Band photo by Jeremy McGuire
