Ordoxe are a Canadian band, formed in 1989 by Jean-François Jalbert (v, g). In 1993 he also founded Slaotvean, and since this one became rather ‘popular’, Jean-François decided to put his initial outfit on hold. After a while however, Ordoxe were reformed (in 2006 and 2007), and in that period they recorded two full lengths, Sorrick Ked Tho and Magnum Opus, both released via Forever Night. But Ordoxe faded away once again, with Slaotvean taking all of Jean-François’ energy. And then, in 2011, Slaotvean were put to rest definitively (the band officially broke up after a show in Quebec in March 2011), and Jean-François decided to resurrect his original outfit once more. Ordoxe signed to Hymnes d’Antan (formerly active as Productions Frères Chasseurs), and they released the album Nihil in 2013. And now they (Jean-François joined forces with his former Slaotvean-colleague JD Bergeron on bass [formerly in e.g. Haeres, Evil Wrath or Shameless Fellows], drummer Steve De Cotret, who was Jean-François’ colleague in Strigampire, and guitarist Samuel Landry of Horfixion-fame) show up with the fourth studio record, Beyond Mankind, which lasts for forty three minutes.
Ordoxe arise with majesty and pride! With this album, the band surprises as from the very first riffs in opener Obsessions. This band’s rather traditionally composed Black Metal-approach is of a high-energetic level, combining classical riffing with dissonant and / or slightly experimental excerpts. It’s full of thrashing hi(n)ts, melodious elements versus apocalyptic whirlwinds, and variation in structure (including -little expected- breaks, and the usual acoustics), in melody (epic versus aggressive versus catchy versus …), and in speed (the better part varies from fast and up-tempo to lightning-fast and semi-blasting, but there are more than a couple of decelerations too, nicely penetrated within about each single piece on this album).
Most of the time, the album makes you shiver and gasp, but once in a while that nasty heard-it-before-attitude strikes back. Such moments are a pity, especially for being the most clinically executed pieces on the album. Luckily the interesting parts remain memorable, and that’s just fine. On top of it I need to mention the clean yet powerful sound, which strengthens the smoothness of the tracks.
Being a Canadian band, Ordoxe sound much alike a Scandinavian or German band rather than a North-American one - though the border in between isn’t but a fictive one, as the not that narrow-minded ones amongst you might know. As a matter of fact, everyone who appreciates well-performed and well-written fast and melodic Black Metal from the classical school might give Beyond Mankind a try.