Blue Origin: Somnium

A modern, melodic debut.

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The seven years that Blue Origin have put into defining their sound shows in the 11 tracks of Somnium. This is a bold display of confidence and raw talent.

Taking their cues from classic bluesy rock, but adding a modern twist in the mode of, say, Black Label Society or Alter Bridge, they scythe through hook-laden barnstormers – such as Godless, Take Your Pills and the excellent Don’t Hold On – with wild-eyed fury, while presenting a mellower side with Make Me, and still finding space for a little blues-harp action in Blur The Lines.

What makes this lot stand out, though, is a canny gift for inventive arrangements, which bring a welcome level of complexity to what could easily have been a two-dimensional affair. With a gritty, groove-packed debut album this strong under their belts, Blue Origin are aiming for the stars.

Essi Berelian

Whether it’s magazines, books or online, Essi has been writing about rock ’n’ metal for around thirty years. He has been reviews editor for Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, rock reviews editor for lads mag Front and worked for Kerrang!. He has also written the Rough Guide to Heavy Metal and contributed to the Rough Guide to Rock and Rough Guide Book of Playlists, and the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles (13th edition). Most fun interview? Tenacious D – Jack Black and Kyle Gass – for The Pick of Destiny movie book. An avid record/CD/tape collector, he’s amassed more music than he could ever possibly listen to, which annoys his wife no end.