Orchid (heavy metal band)

Orchid is an American doom metal band founded in San Francisco, California, United States, in 2007.[1] The band consists of Theo Mindell (vocals, synthesizer, percussion), Mark Thomas Baker (guitar), Keith Nickel (bass guitar) and Tommy Rickard (drums).[2] They are named after the Black Sabbath song of the same name.

For the Massachusetts band of the same name, see Orchid (hardcore punk band).

Orchid
OriginSan Francisco, California, United States
GenresDoom metal, occult rock
Years active2007–present
LabelsNuclear Blast, The Church Within
MembersTheo Mindell
Mark Thomas Baker
Keith Nickel
Tommy Rickard
Past membersCarter Kennedy
Ted "TJ" Cox
Websiteorchidsf.com

History

Orchid formed in 2007 with a lineup of Mindell, Baker, Nickel and drummer Carter Kennedy. The group released their first EP, Through the Devil's Doorway, in 2009. It was followed by their debut studio album, Capricorn, released in 2011. Both of those initial releases on the Church Within label were later reissued together on the Nuclear Blast compilation album The Zodiac Sessions in 2013.

Orchid's second studio album, The Mouths of Madness, was released via Nuclear Blast in 2013. In November of that year, the band embarked on a European tour, alongside Scorpion Child and Blues Pills.[3]

The band's next EP, Sign of the Witch, was released by Nuclear Blast on July 17, 2015.[4]

On April 21, 2016, Orchid announced that Kennedy had left the band the previous July, that Ted "TJ" Cox had joined as their new drummer that August, and that they were writing and demoing new material for a third full-length album due out in 2017.[5] Later in 2016, Tommy Rickard joined as the band's new drummer replacing Cox.[6]

Musical style

Rooted in blues rock and heavy metal, Orchid are highly praised by rock critics for their dark, riff-based doom metal sound, influenced by pioneering metal band Black Sabbath.[1][3][7] British heavy metal magazine Metal Hammer said of the band, "Thought Sabbath had already written all the best riffs? Think again – these guys have some monsters".[8] They have also been described as occult rock.[9]

Orchid also draw inspiration from other '70s rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.[2]

Band members

Current
  • Theo Mindell – vocals, synthesizer, percussion (2007–present)
  • Mark Thomas Baker – guitars (2007–present)
  • Keith Nickel – bass (2007–present)
  • Tommy Rickard – drums (2016–present)

Former
  • Carter Kennedy – drums (2007–2015)
  • Ted "TJ" Cox – drums (2015–2016)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs
  • Through the Devil's Doorway (2009, The Church Within)
  • Heretic (2012, Nuclear Blast)
  • Wizard of War (2013, Nuclear Blast)
  • Sign of the Witch (2015, Nuclear Blast)

Compilation albums

Singles
  • "Heretic" (2012, Nuclear Blast)

References
  1. Heaney, Gregory. "Orchid". Allmusic. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  2. "ORCHID - Nuclear Blast". Nuclearblast.de. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  3. "Orchid: 'The Mouths Of Madness' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. October 16, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  4. "Sign Of The Witch by ORCHID - info and shop at Nuclear Blast - Nuclear Blast". Nuclearblast.de. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  5. "ORCHID Part Ways With Drummer". BraveWords.com. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  6. "Home | Tommy Rickard | Official Site". Tommyrickard.com. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  7. O'Hagar, Sammy (May 24, 2013). "The Mouths of Madness: Orchid's Perpetual Throwback Thursday". MetalSucks. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  8. "Orchid" at Metal Hammer
  9. "7 Occult Rock Bands That Are Way Fucking Better Than Ghost". Thegreatsouthernbrainfart.com. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
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