Milwaukee's Black Orchid - Reviews

about the cassette release of It's a Dark Thing in 1993

Spring 1995 Industrial Nation/Issue #10/USA

"Black Orchid - It's a Dark Thing". The amazing thing about Black Orchid is the fact that, according to the letter that came with their tape, they are totally improvisational. That is something which definitely appeals to me, because I love sound experimentation. This recording is a miasma of electro beats that seem to go nowhere and then spin back on your ears and go somewhere where you'll never find them, and beautifully haunting keyboards intertwined by the occasional ghostly voice. I could see permanent psychosis being a direct result of Black Orchid music. The comparisons to Skinny Puppy, TG, Pink Dots, and others are only due to the nature of the music, not the music itself. Black Orchid have a sound all their own..."

May 1994 Phosphor/May'94/Holland

"Black Orchid - It's a Dark Thing". This recording of some of the early material by Black Orchid is completely improvisational. Black Orchid, hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin makes music with many different influences. SteVEN KORTh, J.A.B. And cRAIG schuMACHER call their music experimental-gothic-industrial. Due to the use of peculiar electronic synthesizer sounds is it especially the experimental-industrial side that dominates. Black Orchid squeezes unique sounds out of their equipment. Chaotic rhythm patterns, indistinct samples and calm demonic vocals do the rest. Highlights on this excellent cassette are 'I am ready' and 'Mad Arab wails' with Throbbing Gristle influences. Black Orchid is mastering their debut-CD at the moment...Let's hope it's as good as this cassette."

Dark World International has released It's a Dark Thing as a free download on the Milwaukee's Black Orchid band profile. Mad Arab Wails was one of the ten most popular tracks downloaded from darkworld.com in 2012. These files are MP3s, if you haven't heard them, download them today.