Space is very metal. So I’ve always been surprised that it’s a relatively underdeveloped topic across most styles. Bands like Enshine, of course, make it all the rage every now and again, but it’s not something I see often. Orbital Soul System (formerly Orbital Dawn) is working to correct this perspective. The one-man solo project of one U-Gene (Rakoth) from Russia is now releasing its third full-length album, Nightwing. Boasting a tag of blackened progressive death metal and a clear cosmic theme, Orbital Soul System feels like it’s reaching for the stars with its latest—it’s certainly an ambitious moniker for a single artist. They say to shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. Let’s see where Nightwing lands.
Nightwing lands on the “death” side of its lengthy genre moniker, leaning on heavy riffs and harsh vocals and aiming to be a heavy-hitting cosmic spectacle. Space-themed synths hold up the melodic side, building spacious and appropriately cool atmospheres to give Orbital Soul System a distinct symphonic edge. Songs like “Enclosure” emulate Thy Catafalque, with heavy organ/synth use offsetting blackened death fury, and reaching for epic heights. Other tracks, like “The Wanderer,” take a slower and more deliberate approach, building on leads and melodies to create lengthy, intricate, and more progressive experiences. Throughout, U-Gene’s intentional, annunciated growls and whispered cleans are a frequent companion, but most of Nightwing is a feast for keys and guitars.
The cosmic theme of Nightwing, on the other hand, is a constant companion, so what you think about that theme will strongly impact how you enjoy Orbital Soul System. “The Last One,” for example, is the first break we get from the metal barrage, dialing up elements of electronica and introducing a heavy autotune to distort the lyrics into an alien, computer tongue. It works for the aesthetic, of course, but the delivery is, unsurprisingly, passionless. In truth, the growls have a similar issue—so well enunciated and intentional that they seem to exist more for the storytelling than to impart feeling—but it all “fits” an album of space-themed progressive death metal. “Into the Abyss” treads the line better, but it is interesting to notice that the main theme of the song involves three synth layers (as best as I can tell) and the only one adding melody is the simplest one, a basic-yet-effective tune that acts against the seriousness of the metal to give the song some bounce and character. I like it, but I can’t help but wonder if Orbital Soul System has traded some of its passion for music for its cosmic theme.
While I’m on the fence about the theme, I have a clearer issue with Nightwing that holds me back from really appreciating it, and it lies twofold in the album’s production. For one thing, the drums do not sound good, to the point that I wouldn’t be surprised to learn they aren’t real. They click and tap, but don’t add heft, and this is probably part of the reason I find Nightwing a less-than-impassioned listen. They sound the same in “Savage,” an instrumental, largely electric interlude track, as in the title track, my favorite song on Nightwing, a blackened epic of sweeping proportions, melodic and impressive—but not strong. This then exacerbates my next observation: nearly every song feels at least two minutes too long, including the three-minute opener. Most songs sit in the 7–9-minute range, but I think only one justifies the length (“Enclosure”). There are a ton of ideas in Nightwing, but 59 minutes is a long time for only nine tracks, too many of which spend time setting a mood that’s long been established.
Like Nightwing itself, I want to end this review on a positive note. Closer “42” is one of the best songs Orbital Soul System offers here, with a strong main riff, uplifting swells from the synths, and the album’s only guitar solo, which does a lot to lift the energy of the song. It’s a good indication that Orbital Soul System has a good instinct for its music and theme. For me, however, the choices made after the guitars are put away have made this an album I likely won’t return as often as even I’d like.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 319 kb/s mp3
Label: Self release
Websites: orbitalsoulsystem.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/Orbitalsoulsystemofficial
Releases Worldwide: October 1st, 2026
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