With solid, pervasive, deranged and inextricably abrasive guitar lines, typical of the genre, the songs are well structured and amazingly paced. The harmonies are usually calm, but nevertheless captivating, although unfortunately bound to a certain sense of lugubrious monotony. And while House Of The Dead can’t be considered a masterpiece, it is indeed a major album, and a very good representative of the genre.
While there is a total absence of innovation here, the strongest elements of stoner rock are present all the way through. The group manages to develop a style of their own, and an intelligent sense of originality is inserted within the wider cosmic sense of musicality that follows their genuine melodic intuition, predisposed over a bright sonorous sensibility, that represents everything the genre has, at its wilder considerations.
House Of The Dead definitely is a work that will please the enthusiasts of the genre. Although being somewhat predictable in terms of harmony and structure, the album doesn’t disappoint. In some moments, the lack of more fundamental components like vigor and strength certainly do their strike, but since stoner rock is a more static and frozen genre, that plays with the slowness of rebel and abrasive guitars, it becomes obvious that Ordos is following the standard procedures of the genre. But they certainly find their own style and grandiosity in the process. In what concerns technical skills, they are amazingly superior, and there is not a single fault on this aspect.
Well, don’t expect too much of House Of The Dead. If you maintain your expectations in the right level, you will not be disappointed. While this record obviously can be considered a very good album, it’s still just another stoner rock album, with little elements to highlight them above other acts of the genre. But you can listen to this record without any fear. It is not a waste of time. It’s a typical stoner rock album, but a very amazing and decent choice.
Wagner