Just found another excellent new female-fronted metal band. This time from the country of Turkey. Orpharion, this new Turkish band, will release their debut album, A Faraway World, on May 9th of this year, on Sleaszy Rider Records.
This Turkish band is made up of: Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel, on lead vocals; Kublai Kapsalis, on lead guitars; Görkem Çelik, on drums; Ertunç Şenel, on bass; and Gençay Sayin, on keyboards.
Orpharion is a female-fronted symphonic metal band from Istanbul, Turkey; that combines cinematic orchestration with progressive elements to create a rich and immersive sound.
Since their debut single “Revival” in 2016, Orpharion has crafted a world of epic storytelling, mystery, and dark atmospheres. Following their latest single “The Broken Seal,” they are now set to release their long-awaited debut album.
A Faraway World, is a concept album filled with adventure, prophecy, and fate. Each song tells a different story, blending sweeping symphonic melodies with powerful, progressive metal.
An orpharion is literally, “a plucked stringed instrument from the Renaissance. It is a member of the cittern family of plucked string instruments, known for their flat-back design and fretted fingerboards”. Orpharion’s music is more symphonic, and soars as the shadows rise, and legends are forged with their sound! A Faraway World was planned to be released in 2020, but the band delayed its release due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Well, let’s dig into this newfound symphonic metal!
The album kicks off with, “My Heart Draws a Dream”, and opens with some delicate electric and acoustic guitar chords eerily reminiscent of one of my favorite bands The Chameleons, from the UK. But that is where the comparison ends. The heavy drums, bass and orchestration breaks open the soundscape with a full on symphonic sound. Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s first lead vocals are powerful and full of life. She reminds me immediately, of a wonderful mix of vocals between, Sabine Edelsbacher, from Edenbridge and Tarja Turunen, from Nightwish. Not bad company to be included within! She definitely has a regal vocal sound, setting her apart from many of the other lead singers in the genre. This song almost sound like one of Edenbridge’s staple type of songs. But that great guitar sound at the opening should have continued to make this one even more exceptional.
“Lurking Truth”, opens with Görkem Çelik, on drums, taking center stage, along with the surrounding soundscape orchestration. Kublai Kapsalis’s lead guitar takes over the soundscape as Ertunç Şenel’s bass playing balances the sound. Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s vocals really are absolutely impressive. I would include Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel and Anastasia Schebrova, from Belle Morte, as two of my favorite new female singers of the year. Both, do not overwhelm you with high pitched sounds. They sing clear and full of life, without overwhelming you. Would be absolutely amazing to hear them together…
“Fire Mountain”, is an absolute showcase for Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s vocals, after a powerful orchestrated opening combined with electric guitar, bass and a strong drum salute. One of the most powerful songs on the album. Like a Valkyrie charging ahead at stampede pace. Onward, soaring metal guitar solos!
“Sleep Well”, slows down the pace, with acoustic and electric guitar combined at its opening. Great timing. Then, the soundscape fills with precisely contoured bass and orchestration, before the electric lead guitars and drums join in. It must give bands like Orpharion great confidence when they know they have someone that can sing with this caliber and level of proficiency, like Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel; who takes on operatic levels on this song. She is a great find and elevates this music high above many in the genre. Orpharion, don’t let her go, you have an all-star here! Some of her vocal incantations, towards the end of the song, remind me so much of Tarja at her best.
“Majestic Lights”, opens with magic keyboards and light show orchestration; before the bass, lead electric guitar and drums take over the soundscape. Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel enters the stage to perform, and the band responds by giving her the main stage. They do not compete, and instead allow her voice to be heard clear and clean. Like it should be. I am also hearing vocal sounds from her, that remind me of another of my favorite singers, Manuela Kraller, at her finest; in charge of Xandria, when they ruled metal in 2012. This band and woman need to be heard!
“Song of the Exiled Ones”, is the best showcase for Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel, since “Fire Mountain”. I do believe this showcase is even better. This time, only warm piano accompanies Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel. Orchestration then supports her voice as dreamy, symphonic bells and strings fill the soundscape. Easily one of the best songs on the album, so far. The piano playing is fantastic and maybe some of the best of the year. Absolutely beautiful! Over 5 minutes of supreme symphonic, theatrical metal that you will cherish for the rest of the year. It ends with sounds of the ocean…perfection!
“The Storyteller”, opens with more wonderful keyboards before the lead electric guitar, bouncing bass, and drums roar through the majestic soundscape. Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s voice stretches out beyond the soundscape to bring forward the story of this concept album. The lead electric guitar riffs and chords are simply amazing here, and are augmented by that wonderful whah, whah pedal play!
Ah, the “Dead Marshes”. Take me back to the Lord of the Rings! They open epic track, this with ravens crowing, thunder and lightning, and rain sounds, before slow played electric guitar takes me back to so many eerie metal songs from the 1980s. The longest song on the album, at over 10 minutes, this is everything you imagined it might be. Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s voice reaches out beyond the gore and fear to say she must save her people. A slow drugging marching song, full of metal imagery. Then, suddenly, the pace accelerates and all guitars and drums join in. Unleash the band and all symphonics! We’re off! Shredding metal guitar solo licks fill the air, as the story moves towards its climax. The accompanying electric lead guitar reminds me a little of the Mission’s 1988 levels; during “Fabienne” or “Hymn (For America)”.
“The Broken Seal”, is the closing track of the album, and it is a fantastic way to end this album, full of wonder! This song is full of orchestration, keyboards, electric guitar, bass, and drums on full blast. Unleash the cannons for the finale. But Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s voice reaches out, far from beyond. The melody is so cool and her voice fits the sound perfectly. This album and song have so many elements I remember from my favorite bands of the 1980s and 1990s. The symphony continues with Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel’s voice rising above the metal onslaught.
With lyrics by vocalist Ebru a.k.a Imtholiel and production by Kublai Kapsalis (Rec-Cat Records). All songs written by Kublai Kapsalis, (Except track #6 Written by Gencay Sayin). Recorded at IMP Production House Istanbul. Vocals recorded by Ariane Imtholiel. Mixed and mastered by Kublai Kapsalis. Artwork by Ariane Imtholiel.
2025 has really been another great year of discovery. Add Orpharion’s A Faraway World, to that mix. This album is just what the doctor ordered. It is everything you could want from a concept-drive, story-telling, symphonic masterpiece. I just hope this amazing streak of great new bands continues. Every year, before the beginning, I wonder what will surprise me each year. Well, add Orpharion to the growing list of new bands I have enjoyed hearing this year. If you like progressive, symphonic, cinematic, concept – driven metal like A Faraway World, this is your ticket to over an hour of fantastic music. Add to that discovery, another pinnacle seeking vocalist like Ebru Kiliç Imtholiel, and you have struck gold! Please give Orpharion’s, A Faraway World, a listen and be transported beyond your everyday life into a distant and far away world of imagination! (And to think they had been sitting on this for over five years, since 2020…wow!)
Album Track List:
- My Heart Draws a Dream – 5:13
- Lurking Truth – 5:19
- Fire Mountain – 4:42
- Sleep Well – 5:41
- Majestic Lights – 4:19
- Song of the Exiled Ones – 5:12
- The Storyteller – 4:45
- Dead Marshes – 10:15
- The Broken Seal – 4:01
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/orpharion_official/
https://www.facebook.com/orpharionmusic
https://soundcloud.com/orpharion
https://x.com/orpharionmusic
YouTube and Music Video Links:
Buy A Faraway World.