Album Review: The Sound of Origin – Man in the Arena (Self Released)

Combining elements of doom, stoner, blues, and sludge, Huddersfield, UK, band The Sound Origin (previously known as just Sound of Origin) are back with a brand-new album called ‘Man in the Arena’. The new album will be released on October 27th, 2023.

The last time we checked in on The Sound of Origin, the year was 2020 and they had released their fantastic album ‘The All Seeing Eye’. Fast forward three years, and they’re back and sounding even more determined then ever to make a mark on the heavy scene.

Something that is much easier to do when they’re hitting the highs that this new album does.

Kicking off with the dirty sounding sludge heaviness of This Ain’t Free, The Sound of Origin immediately perk the ears up. Here, we also get subtle grunge touches, groovier stoner flashes, and a tempo shift that is quite wild sounding. It’s an early showcase of the variety listeners can expect to hear across the entirety of the record.

Varity that is front and centre as Birthright goes for a more anthemic stoner style, with riffs that worm their way into the brain matter. Then along comes Crown of the Cynic and here, The Sound Origin get a bit experimental. Fascinatingly so, as this track really blends the different elements the band is so confident at meshing together. Here, they also give themselves plenty of time to let their doomier side breathe and breathe it does… deeply.

Making his first appearance of two, ExHorder and Trouble vocalist Kyle Thomas lends his impressive pipes to Frail Old Bones. A meaty head-banger with some wicked groove and heavy rhythms. His second appearance coming on the title track, which sees The Sound of Origin reaching deeply into their sludge and doom playbook for something that has a lot of weight to it.

Around those tracks, The Sound Origin push their vocal limits to the extreme, in spectacular style, with Thousand Year Curse and cause some serious neckache with the grim and garish heaviness of Gold Drenched in White. Before wrapping up another great release with Lightbringer. A track that features all the great elements of this band in one grandiose and thrilling finish. Just try and not move to this track, it’s impossible.

The Sound of Origin – Man in the Arena Track Listing:

1. This Ain’t Free
2. Birthright
3. Crown of the Cynic
4. Frail Old Bones (Ft. Kyle Thomas – ExHorder/Trouble)
5. Thousand Year Curse
6. Man in the Arena (Ft. Kyle Thomas – ExHorder/Trouble)
7. Gold Drenched in White
8. Lightbringer

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok