Orion – “The End of Suffering”

Orion’s The End of Suffering,  was released June 5^th, on an independent label. It arrived with little fanfare and few reviewed it. It is the personal story of multi-instrumentalist and song writer Ben Jones, and his will to make the journey to create this concept album, which was also his dream project. The story of his writing of this wonderful concept album, completely changed my view, and the way I was going to write the review for this album.

I was amazed at the story of how this album, came to be. This album was not produced from a group of musical collaborators, working together for years, to craft an album; but rather from the dream and hard work of one individual who believed, and was led by his vision to complete an album of music. This album was created with regard to share, in an effort to help the world. And I have high praise for those who believe in their dreams and even more, in those who bring those dreams to fruition. So for me, this became a personal quest to try to deliver a review which would carefully state the story, that Ben wished to tell to the world, through his music.

But first, a little from Ben Jones, to explain the album concept and dream, “A little over twenty years ago, I fell victim to the idea of recording an entire album on my own. In those days before internet collaborations, and certainly before music technology became so readily available, I had struggled to find musicians that shared the same vision as me. With that in mind, I realized I was going to have to fill those gaps on my own. The motto I adopted was ‘My music, done my way.’ Over the course of twenty years, there were many false starts. I had to spend a lot of time finding my musical way, as I was only 15 or 16 years of age when I realized, I was going to have to make this journey alone. After playing in many bands for many years, I finally ‘retired’ from playing live in 2015. In 2018, I left my job, and was in the fortunate position of being able to take an extended break from employment. It was during this time that I delved into Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now. The story that Eckhart tells near the beginning of his book, when he had his own personal ‘awakening’, is what inspired the album. Essentially, Eckhart’s idea is that we are slaves to our constant internal dialogue, and are forever living in either the past or future. In his book, he makes various references to Buddhism, and the one that especially resonated with me was when he stated that the Buddha referred to enlightenment as ‘the end of suffering’. From that time, my thoughts were steered towards that concept”.

Well, after reading that, I hope you will agree with me that this album needed to be both recorded and reviewed. So, with said, let’s begin:

“Now”, is the album’s opening track, and it claims its position based on the fact that it contains the melody which the album uses as its central theme. It is the melody and concept which Ben played on that acoustic guitar, which lit the flame and started the process in motion. And I understand why, because it is a great melody. It is a beautiful piano melody, set to the roar of the ocean. It is the quiet opening, before the heavy electric guitars, bass and drums join in. It is an exciting over 4 minute opener, that you may need to be strapped in, to experience. Like a rollercoaster leaving its bay. A grinding metal opening and then take off!

The album is successfully launched; now from the beginning. “In the Beginning”, starts with racing acoustic guitar, before Ben Jones sings his first lyrics, “In the beginning, there was one. One moment, one meaning, one life. After a time, it was gone. Dulled like the edge of a knife”. He sounds a little like, maybe Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, singing with the support of maybe Dream Theater, playing to a Rush beat, with Gaddy and Alex playing guitars. Jones sings, “That moment became a blade. A blade that cuts two ways. A blade that divides the days. The thing that must be obeyed. A blade owned by its slave. Made eternity just another day”. The guitar soloing, bass, keys and drums are solid. Jones continues, “The beginning of an end of a start. The end of all truth. A circle getting smaller as it grows. Time getting faster as it slows. The sun slowly rose. And they had their first tomorrow”. The story revolves around Mitch Albom’s book, The Time Keeper. “A tale of man discovering the concept of time, and ultimately becoming a slave to it”. Off to a solid start.  

“Tomorrow”, has that cool Rush-like opening to it. With blazing lead electric guitar, supported well with bass guitar and drums. It is a tale of “youth and early years, when as a child, you’re not likely to affect any great impact upon the world, so you’d better work hard and dream of all the things that adulthood will bring”. Jones sings, “There’d never been a tomorrow. Until there’d been a yesterday. So many pieces to make fit. Before the sun gets away. Tomorrow is everything. You’d best make it last. You’ll catch it if you’re quick enough. But the sun is coming up fast. Go on, little one. Tomorrow is waiting for you. Dream of the future, little one”. A very positive message of hope, for all.

“The Hurricane”,  encompasses the madness of later life. As Jones states, “The struggle to balance so many things, to control the life you’ve created”. Jones sings, “I remember tomorrow. Where I’d find the rainbow’s end. But is that day today. Or did it get away? Did it slip me by. While the sun traced the sky? While the moon watched me sleep. And the seconds started to creep. I can’t hold back the tide. I can barely ride the wave. I never knew what tomorrow could bring. And the days keep coming. It rages like a hurricane. This thing I’ve created. This thing I’ve hated”. Over 5 minutes of Van Halen – like, power – fueled electric lead guitar.

“Yesterday”, is a time of reflection. The music sets a slower, contemplative pace. As Jones states, “You’ve survived the hurricane, and it’s moved on to somewhere else. Suddenly you’re left wondering if you missed your chance in the hurricane”. Jones sings, “As I watch the storm rage on. And the carnage leave me behind. I wonder if it slipped me by. Or if yesterday was just more kind. Yesterday has gotten away. But I thought it was tomorrow I was chasing. Running hard in both directions. I never know which it is I’m racing. When memories outweigh our dreams. We have grown old”. Almost 8 minutes of true electric guitar firepower, set to emotional keyboards.

“Out of Time”, must have been a very difficult time for Ben Jones. The feeling that he doesn’t have enough time to finish his dream and this masterpiece. He sings, “In the end, there is nothing. Out of time, and out of reasons. And all those yesterdays. They’ve lost their shine. Like the fruit of life. Has seen too many seasons. But what is this life. If not a fight to the death? What is this race. If not toward a final breath?” A time of challenge and, as we know Ben will finish the story and album, despite these difficult times, where he felt like quitting, or was looking back with regret at his past. Jones continues, “Tomorrow was my prize. Like the devil was once an angel. Yesterday is full of lies. And tomorrow is just too painful”.

“Myself and I”, according to Ben Jones, “is directly inspired by the story that Eckhart tells near the beginning of his book. About the night surrounding his own personal revelations, and the realization that time is ultimately an illusion of the mind” Jones sings, to soft acoustic guitar, and warm keys, at the opening, “I can’t live with myself. Am I one or am I two? I don’t know which of us is real. I feel I’m holding on for dear life. But what am I holding on to? What would happen if I let go? Would I find I was never you?” Later the grinding Rush-like lead electric guitars take over, again.

“Out of Time – Part II”,  is as Jones says, “A play on words. It very obviously refers to the previous track of the same name, but this is now the point at which the person in our story has come to accept that time is merely a concept, and he is now ‘out’ of it”. The track opens with a cool bass guitar lead, supported well with drums. Over seven minutes of intricate guitar, bass and drums, finishing with blazing lead electric guitar.

“The End of Suffering”, is the longest, and title song, for the album; at over 8 minutes. It is the culmination of the story. As Ben Jones says, “It starts with an almost identical intro to the opening track, which felt like an apt way to close the album. The end of the story is the same as the beginning. The character in the tale was always in the ‘now’ and there never was a past or future”. The drums and lead electric guitar take center stage as the bass supports. Jones sings, “In the end. There is nothing. A deathless place. Without time or space. Through all the ideals I chased. Through all the days I raced. And it was here all along. Waiting in this silent place. Because the only end. Is the end of suffering. Because joy is a heart’s beat. Because the only start. Is the one you make now. In the place where all things meet. The end of suffering!” Jones closes the album with the perfect lyrics, “We can’t ever reach the end. Because we can never leave the beginning. All I know is now. And the end of all suffering. When eternity is just another day. And there’s no more time to wish away. Arising from the grave. No more a master nor a slave!”

Ben Jones describes how he arrived at the artwork for the album. Jones says, “The artwork for the album was the final missing piece, and one that weighed heavily upon me. After various enquiries, a friend suggested that I simply look at some album artwork that I liked, then contact the artist online (Ah, the joy of the Internet). Whilst listening to a Vanden Plas album, I noticed that the artwork had been created by someone called Thomas Ewerhard. I put my faith in Thomas, and gave him a summary of the album. Months later, he presented the initial draft of the cover you see before you. Every fear I had ever had disappeared immediately”.

It is always wonderful reading about someone completing their dream project. This concept album is a great introduction to Ben Jones. I’ll be looking forward to his next as I continue to enjoy this album. The only negative comment I have, and I must say it, is that Ben has got to get a lead singer for the next album. He did a good, job, but after a while, I wanted to hear someone different. Maybe bring in two or three other guest lead vocalists in the future to help vary the sound. I know he was on a budget, and few people are willing to surrender their ‘dream’ songs to another singer’s voice; but this great album would have been even better with variation in the lead singer and track melodies. However, I will be back for the next, to see if he raises the bar even higher.

Congratulations Ben Jones on completing your dream album! Now get out there and find some collaborators to make the next one even better. Help raise the level of fans and followers of your music.

Track List:

1. Now – 4:58
2. In the Beginning – 5:09
3. Tomorrow – 7:01
4. The Hurricane – 5:06
5. Yesterday – 7:59
6. Out of Time – 5:05
7. Myself and I – 6:25
8. Out of Time – Part II – 7:11
9. The End of Suffering – 8:27

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://benjones4.bandcamp.com/album/the-end-of-suffering

https://www.orion-music.co.uk/

orion@orion-music.co.uk

YouTube and Music Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHkuCUoGI2kAED0yEu1b7jQ