Halloween came early thanks to the Occult Renegade Bastards, better known as ORB! The deathrock duo hails from Philadelphia and is composed of multi-instrumentalist J. Viola (Wild Beyond, Morgul Blade, Necrosexual) and vocalist Lord Gourd (Morgul Blade), originally releasing their demo in 2023. After being sidelined for a period, the duo finished their debut album, Supernatural Season, just in time to celebrate.
“It’s the feeling that you’re participating in something that existed long before you,” Lord Gourd tells Decibel, “And will continue even longer after you. The changing leaves, the darkness coming earlier, the harvest, the old stories about the dead returning. You stand outside on a cold October night, and for a moment, the world feels it has another dimension to it.”
ORB are high on all sorts of occult and spooky acts—Type O Negative, The Sisters of Mercy, Misfits, Samhain, Black Sabbath, Joy Division and even Nine Inch Nails. The best moments on the album come when all of these influences meet in a blender, like the title track and the danceable “September’s Burning Shadows.” “Rhapsody on Leather Wings” feels like a cover of a never-heard ’80s tune and “Goblin’s Blood” is a heavy fist-pumper, showcasing serious chops from session drummer Miles Ziskind (Honey).
The album wraps up with “Occult Renegade Bastards” and synth outro “A Voice for the Moon,” which exist far more in Joy Division territory than Type O. Supernatural Season is a diverse record that knows its influences and wears them well. Throw on Season of the Witch and give this one a listen.
Supernatural Season is out on October 3, with physicals via The Fiadh and Wise Blood Records.
