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By MELISSA WISEMAN
Staff Writer

The mellow music drowns out my thoughts as I sit here listening to the latest album for review. As I press play on the discs I receive, I never know what type of music will flow into the room. I am always delighted by the variety of sounds that artists have to offer, and have nothing but the uttermost respect for them.

Fire from the spark,
Flame inside your heart
Would you love me if I take
A walk in the dark

These are the words that come from the speakers at the current moment. The deep, mellow sounds of the guitar and bass ease me into relaxation after the horrible weeks I’ve been having. Where is this music coming from?

Orpheos.

Orpheos, a founding member of Mephisto Odyssey (an Electronica/House group hailing from California), has produced a unique gift to the world through his first solo album. His sound is described as “taking the dark rock heart of the 80’s Goth Scene, mixing in the beats and synths of 90’s trip-hop and electronica, and mixing it all together into a big dub-infused whole” (ref. Orpheos press release). The Mirror With No Reflection may be his first solo LP, but he helped introduce the still-alien sounds of rave and electronica to many.

Delighting us with songs like "A Walk In The Dark", "Evaluate", "Fade To Black", and "On The Run", Orpheos sets a dark and mysterious mood with his listeners. The creative use of different instruments and sounds to captivate the audience within his music is astonishing.

There are more surprises towards the end of the disc.

Orpheos conducts an instrumental track that begins with an interesting array of instruments, and ends with the sound of elephants.

I would definitely give these guys props for not being afraid to use variety in their works. Orpheos has been quoted stating “I really wish I had the ability to plan songs in advance but they seem to have a mind and spirit of their own.”

Well keep doing what you’re doing, because it definitely seems to be working out well.