THE TEMPLE

Information for Seekers

ABOUT ORYAD

Progressive Doom Opera.

For Fans Of
Blackbriar, Cellar Darling, Chelsea Wolfe, Within Temptation, Eivor

Oryad is a progressive doom opera project hailing from the Appalachian and Rocky Mountain ranges of the United States. The dreamchild of soprano and pianist Moira Murphy, this metal ensemble weaves together the multiple influences of classical music, doom, prog, symphonic metal, jazz, and alternative.

Moira Murphy’s international solo operatic and stage direction experience leads Oryad’s unique vision. Joining her is Matt Gotlin-Sheehan on drums, who brings experience as a touring metal drummer, jazz musician, and collaborator.

The June 2021 release of their debut EP, “Hymns of Exile & Decay,” was well-received across independent press in Europe and in performance in Denver’s favorite independent venues like HQ (formerly 3 Kings), The Roxy Theatre, and Seventh Circle Music Collective.

The May 2023 release of the full-length album “Sacred & Profane” marks a departure from the traditional symphonic metal format upon which the project was originally formed. The ten tracks of the debut album represent multiple genres and influences and was released in partnership with SAOL, CMM-GmbH on worldwide streaming services and in CD format.

The ensemble has focused heavily on songwriting and video creation and released a live studio concert in June 2022 in addition to visual assets to accompany the entire EP. They will continue this tradition with the release of material from “Sacred & Profane.”

With songs exploring grief, metaphysics, and the machinations of nature, Oryad is inspired by Greek and Norse mythology; the writings of Jung, Campbell, Eliade, and Camus; the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, Stephen Crane, and Charles Baudelaire; and Moira’s Appalachian heritage.

LINE-UP

Moira Murphy
East Tennessee
Vocals, Piano/Synth, Orchestration, Lyricist/Songwriter

Matt Gotlin-Sheehan
Denver, Colorado
Drums, Songwriter

CONTACT

Booking
booking@oryad.band
Public Relations
marketing@oryad.band

RELEASES

SACRED & PROFANE

Debut Full-Length Album | May 25, 2023

SINGLES

Blood May 25 2023

Eve April 13, 2023

Scorched Earth February 23, 2023

THE MYTHOLOGY CONTINUES...

HYMNS OF EXILE & DECAY

Debut EP | June 25, 2021

SINGLES

Doxology November 13, 2020 • Hymn Of The End January 15, 2021 • Inflammatus April 2, 2021

Watch all of our videos below. Click on whichever thumbnail tickles your fancy.

PRESS

REVIEWS & PRAISE

SACRED & PROFANE

93/100
Aardschok (in print)

“Bandleader and vocalist Moira Murphy has a range that starts from the vomiting vocals of a Nina Hagen through the dramatic, narrative vocals of Heidi Parviainen, for example, to immensely powerful opera vocals.”

Top 5 Albums of May 2023 + Review
Power Metal Ranger

“It’s a privilege to be able to listen to an album like this because of the experience it creates…It’s a phenomenal piece, and to think that this is their debut full-length album! Absolutely remarkable!” “killer musicianship…it’s epic, it’s melancholic…it’s beautiful…”

9/10
Metal.De

“…the melodic-atmospheric music of ORYAD cannot only be defined by the powerful vocal performance. Rather, various cogs mesh, which round off the overall package into an unusual, versatilely inspired listening experience.” “There are no fillers or even rivets: every composition has been carefully polished with great attention to detail and complex emotionality.”

10/10
Metal Zenith

“The voice weaves in and out of the music, peaking at just the right moment, only to plummet while the rhythm soars and the guitars fill the air with delicate brutality.”

8/10

Metal Temple

“For an independent band, they are actually quite polished, and all of the rich, full tones are carefully thought out in terms of placement, and create a synergy in the end that is catchy, and pleasing. Will someone please sign this band?”

8/10
Rock Tribune Belgium (in print)

“for music lovers with very broad tastes…There is [sic] a dose of classical music with mostly piano work like in the intro of “Scorched Earth. Blastbeats are not shunned either, like in ‘Eve’. Alchemy’ is again influenced by jazz. Despite all these variations, the album remains a reasonably coherent whole.”

8/10
Bleeding4Metal

“The vocal power of the singer is almost unbelievable. The following comparison might border on insult to majesty: Had this woman been placed at Freddie Mercury’s side instead of Montserrat Caballé when he intoned ‘Barcelona’ with the opera diva, the result would probably have been just as good.”

9/10
Saiten Kult

“…ORYAD on the other hand, of course, add a big shot of darkness to their existing operatic quality. The guitars often have a doomy touch, are menacing and edgy.”

Smorg Magazine

“Everything is note perfect. Everything sounds so beautiful, every time change is wonderfully thought out, the atmosphere is spot on…I could fawn over this album all day (and most nights as well).”

94%
Via Nocturna

“Elegant, atmospheric and powerful, Sacred & Profane is an album of intense mystical depth that is urgent to discover.”

Zware Metalen

“Sacred & Profane is an album that will not only capture the hearts of metal lovers, but also those looking for musical talent that extends beyond the horizons of a single genre.”

5/5
Metal Epidemic

“The big hitters in the Metal genres whose borders Oryad have now crossed with Sacred and Profane need to take more than a cautious look over their shoulders, as there is a new player in town who is determined to raise the bar and leave them firmly in her wake!”

Brutally Delicious Review
by Dark Macek

“It’s rare that a metal band makes you feel something other than anger or excitement or joy. This one is much more subtle, much more haunting. I don’t really have another artist to compare them to in how they make you feel, and that’s tremendous. They’ve stumbled onto something new.”

9/10
Metal Divisions

“…the music comes out of the speakers fresh and unspent, virtuoso riffs and a pithy, distinctive voice, which is bursting with charisma.” “songs that exhale with technical class and dynamic, melodic, incredible ease…ORYAD present on “Sacred & Profane” soulful and intelligent songs that go very deep under the skin.”

Female Fronted Power

“Moira Murphy’s classically trained voice is exquisite and she has achieved something that not many singers have done for me in recent years: she made me listen with anticipation and gave me goosebumps. I would go so far as to say that she has one of the best soprano voices in modern metal.”

Metal Observer
9/10

“The sheer class and confidence with which Oryad navigate the myriad of influences and styles showcased on Sacred & Profane are astonishing, particularly for a new band.”

9/10
The Coroner's Report

“The vocals cannot be overstated enough, yet they are also so musically inspired that each track is a surprise yet coherent and thematic able to conjure dreams and moments of brilliance. A celebration of hope, love, and creation.”

9.1/10
Metal Factory Switzerland

“‘Sacred & Profane’ works like a synthesis of the arts: while listening, images of landscapes arise in the mind. Above it now and then a thunderstorm comes up or the sun gives comforting warmth in the next moment. If you like very well done Symphonic Metal, you can’t go wrong with this CD.”

Rock'n Force

“ORYAD have total mastery of their playing, which is based on great technical skill and progressive harmonies, without lapsing into pomposity. The Americans are incredibly fresh, propelling us from one mood to another as if by magic.”

Release of the Week
Ethereal Symphonies

“The power of the music is further heightened by the symphonic instrumentation and the virtuoso vocals of Moira Murphy, which is reflected in beautiful vocal performances, endowed with an accentuated dramatism.”

New Metal Media

“A progressive opera, I agree. Each act contains something surprising, frightening or passionate. This is reflected in particular in the music videos already mentioned above, oh what am I saying, musical films are more accurate.”

98%
Musika

“…we also fall for the frequent changes in tempo and rhythm that bass and drums impose. Luca’s guitar work is also absolutely top notch and knows how to charm us time and time again.”

Snaggletooth Podcast
Album Review

“Moira’s grandiose vocals ignite her dark poetry with beauty and distinction… Oryad is one of the most grandiose metal bands in recent memory…”

Release Highlight
Week 21, 2023
The Progspace

“interesting, diverse songwriting, excellent orchestral arrangements and a captivating, demanding vocal performance by Moira Murphy”

Top 10 Albums
May 2023
Heavy Debriefings

“The debut album from this Denver duo caught me completely by surprise and I love every second of it…Progressive symphonic doom with operatic stylings and quirky avant-garde moments to keep you on your toes at the right moments.”

4.5/5
Metal Roos

“Oryad’s music is as undefinable as it is immediate, visceral, and incredibly emotional. This is pure artistic freedom that is not bound by genres or pre-conceived notions. Led by the simply incredibly soprano vocals of Moira Murphy, Sacred and Profane is able to nimbly touch upon many varied styles all in celebration of the ritual.”

Harbinger of DOOM

“wonderfully diverse…Oryad has concocted a splendid collection of songs”

98%
Darker Side of Music

“I am absolutely enthralled by “Eve”, the new single off Oryad’s upcoming album “Sacred and Profane”! Not only is the accompanying video a sight to behold, but the music itself is truly something special.”

Rock The Joint Magazine

“…it is so diverse, so many shades, and such diversity in the tracks that you can’t just box it.”

7/10
FFM-Rock

“the front woman can bring a lot and stands out from the many epigones.”

6/10
Rock Hard Italy (in print)

“it is not possible to place this album within the symphonic strand because the various pieces are constructed using very different colors. None of this in any way reduces assimilability due to the magnetic abilities of this visceral and emotional album.”

4.8/5
Flyctory

“there are surprises and elements which simply make you enjoy Oryad…an amazingly written album.”

3/5
Toilet Ov Hell

“the lyrics on this album, many of which come from her own poetry, do an excellent job of painting a mental picture of taking part in some kind of mysterious, mystical ritual in the woods. And I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what symphonic doom was invented for.”

3.5/5
Heavy Music HQ

“…a very enjoyable album broad in scope and well executed.”

The Median Man

“…turns through the majestic spheres of time, creeping and twisting, turning toward the growing scope of the wind.”

HYMNS OF EXILE & DECAY

Metal Goddesses

"Holy crap! – this song is truly an atmospheric monster...I am deeply impressed by the musical depth and atmosphere of this extraordinary and charismatic song... [it] takes the listener into another musical world...for me this song is one of the best I’ve heard lately, and there were quite a lot."

Loud Unity

"...this is awesome and it totally blew me away"

Queen City Sounds

"Fans of Myrkur’s expansive, atmospheric heavy sound also informed by older musical forms will find much to appreciate with Oryad’s always surprisingly tuneful compositions."

Female Fronted Power

"...the first thing that you're going to notice, besides the excellent music, is the incredible voice of Moira Murphy. She'll blow you away!"

"Oryad is on the right track to find that distinctiveness from other gothic bands which will definitely make me keep an eye on them and check what other surprises they will bring"
-Heavy Queens

INTERVIEWS

Snaggletooth Podcast

Enjoy this in-depth and long-ranging talk between Mark and Stace of the Snaggletooth Podcast and Matt and Moira about live performances, songwriting approaches, and possible studio disasters.

The Brutally Delicious Podcast

Belgian Jasper Interview

Enjoy this talk between Moira and Belgian Jasper about Oryad’s songwriting process, our influences, and the journey from recital hall to metal club.

Rock On The Rise · Justin Smulison Presents: Moira Murphy of Oryad

Rock On The Rise Interview

From The Iceberg Radio Interview

Ranger Talk Interview

Enjoy this in-depth and long-ranging talk between Moira and The Power Metal Ranger- from musical influences, to background and education, to the genesis of the Oryad project.