Ten hard hitting yet ridiculously melodic songs – no ballads – an album full of Metal hymns! Well, this basically might be what “Gunmen”, the highly anticipated fifth album release by German power metal force ORDEN OGAN is about – even though this description clearly is insufficient.
One of the best Metal acts to emerge in the past ten years simply proves why they are hailed as the new keepers of the grail, and “Gunmen” undoubtedly crowns their creative output so far. Anthemic tracks such as the virtual title track “Gunman”, the intense “Fields Of Sorrow” or the stomping “Ashen Rain” are proof for an exceptional release, but it doesn’t end here at all. Actually all ten songs display an immensely high quality level and contribute to the overall picture of the album with mighty, catchy choruses, creativity and diversity.
Once again the band’s vocalist/guitarist Seeb Levermann (who just recently also handled mixing and mastering duties for the new Rhapsody Of Fire release) was producing the album. He and his fellow band members can be more than proud on their new Magnum Opus. “Gunmen” will for sure be a highlight release in 2017!
The group’s new music video, filmed for the song “Gunman”, was once again directed by Rainer “Zipp” Fränzen, who works with ORDEN OGAN since 2012’s “To The End” album and its video releases “The Things We Believe In” and “Land Of The Dead”.
“The creation of the “Gunman” clip was once again real team work”, band leader Seeb Levermann states. “The new ORDEN OGAN album “Gunmen” is set in a dark fantasy Wild West environment, so obviously we had to go to Monument Valley (Utah) to shoot there. There is no other place in the world that is more “Wild West”. We shot at the classic Monument Valley scenery as well as at the famous John Ford’s Point and also did horseback rides.”
The second extensive part of filming took place in Germany, but also here the band tried something new. “A Western city in an adventure park proved to be the perfect location”, Seeb smiles. “Things came full circle here, because we’ve also recorded the drums for “Gunman” there – to be more specific – in the “Western Saloon” of the “Fort Fun” adventure park. We wanted to have this huge 80ies snare ambience that you can only get from big rooms. When the Wild West concept took form, we learned about the Saloon (in Fort Fun), did some test recordings there and were totally blown away. The hall sounds amazing and “Gunmen” may be my best sounding mix so far.”
Former Leaves’ Eyes/Theatre Of Tragedy vocalist Liv Kristine is featured with a guest appearance on the track “Come With Me To The Other Side”.
“Gunmen” will be released on July 7th, available as CD, ltd. Digipak (incl. “Live At Wacken 2016” bonus DVD), ltd. colored Vinyl (red and silver), ltd. Picture Vinyl and ltd. “coffin” box set (incl. ltd. Digipak, a figure of the band mascot “Alister Vale” (ca. 15 cm tall) and more).
Even though the band’srésumé is an impressive one at this point already (#16 in Germany’s album charts with the latest studio album “Ravenhead”, chart entries in several European countries, extensive tours with HammerFall, Powerwolf and Grave Digger, a very successful first headlining tour in 2016 and ever growing worldwide fan base), there is no doubt that “Gunmen” will make ORDEN OGAN climb the ladder even higher.
LISTEN TO A SAMPLE OF GUNMEN