Lord Of The Lost – Opvs Noir Vol.1 (Napalm Records) [Matt Bladen]
There aren't many band who can count performing at Eurovision, supporting Iron Maiden and meeting the King Of England as things they have been a part of but then there aren't many bands like Lord Of The Lost, each chapter of their story adds something new but always keeps with the familiar themes of plenty of PVC, pumping beats and darkly anthemic heavy metal.Inspired by darkwave but filtered through the German industrial metal scene LOTL have redefined their image with every release and with Opvs Noir Vol.1 they look to do it once again with their most expansive release to date. 3 albums, each featuring 11 songs resulting 33 new tracks that feature the band embracing their melancholic beginnings but also inviting a lot of the colleagues they have gained from their crossover successes, to join them.
Their first album as a six piece (they added an extra guitarist in 2024), it's the beginnings of a heavier chapter that will be released as trilogy with plenty of special editions to go along. Produced by frontman Chris Harms, the beating black heart of this record booms loudly for all to hear, the macabre theatricality of these matched only by the waves of heavy instrumentals, Harms' vocals are gruff but he has a low timbre that casts a spell over you.
With orchestrations hiding behind the metallic grunt, they start this new era with the epic Bazaar Bizzare, starting as they mean to go on with a first song that steamrolls with it's heaviness but shifts between the electronic, the classical and the baroque. My Sanctuary though picks up the pace with a thumping goth metal banger, as I Will Die In It has to be a future live staple with it's colossal chorus.
The album is punctuated by guest appearances with the earliest one being the theatrics on Light Can Only Shine In The Darkness which features Dutch symphonic metal veterans Within Temptation as Sharon Dan Adel's unmistakable vocal duets with Harms. They aren't the only guests of course as A Capella group Stimmgewalt joins on the symphonic Moonstruck, while Anna Marie Rose of Tales Of Time pitches in with some beautiful vocals on The Sadness In Everything. On Damage, Deathstars' Whiplasher Bernadotte adds his vocals to the industrial thump. Soon to be tour mates Feuerschwanz join for Lords Of Fyre, a track that I assume will be played every single night with good reason. As the introspective Ghosts features some special guest cello from extraordinaire Tina Guo.
With Opvs Noir Vol.1 Lord Of The Lost conceive this new chapter with the help of their friends, but it's a strong start to the trilogy. 8/10
Liv Sin – Close Your Eyes (Despotz Records) [Matt Bladen]
The Swedish metal scene churns out another banger with Liv Sin’s new album Close Your Eyes. Each track features ethereal harmonies paired with powerful metal screams to coincide the skilful textured instrumentals throughout.
The Swedish metal scene churns out another banger with Liv Sin’s new album Close Your Eyes. Each track features ethereal harmonies paired with powerful metal screams to coincide the skilful textured instrumentals throughout.
The track Hold It Together was interesting as the background synths reminded me of some gothic rock bands like Sisters Of Mercy which feels slightly out of place within this genre as it sounds almost funky however, it does add to the transcendental nature of the album which leads to a stellar heavy breakdown at the end to remind us of their genre. The Mask, which is high speed and very articulate showcases Liv Jagrell’s vocals. She is an outstanding singer with a dynamic range and Per Bejelovuk’s intricate drum rhythm not only is a standout but compliments the vocals and elevates the track from its counterparts.
A favorite of mine from this album is I Refuse. A blistering scream which kicks of the track is a memorable showstopper and it’s fast, I was on the edge of my seat. It’s more passionate and angrier in nature, the hook is so captivating that after a minute i knew the lyrics and it got a well-deserved re - play. Overall, the album Close Your Eyes is fun, vibrant and well deliberated. 8/10
Meteora – In This Silence (H – Music) [Cherie Curtis]
In This Silence is a concept album featuring only 4 tracks and each track brings us something different. In This Silence brings us lightning-fast guitars and synthesizers which emulates an organ, it's a full sounding tension build that sets a scene. It was not at all what I was expecting, it’s a unique one and it has got to be one of the best openings to a song I've heard so far. Noemi Hollo’s soft beautiful vocals and Atilla Kiraly’s harsh and powerful ones are ying and yang, high contrast and very compatible. One without the other and it’s missing something but together it’s magic.
Rebirth is melodic yet the frantic. Hollo’s frenzied yet soft vocals are combined with harsh metal ones which gives us the headbanging tune we long for and Free, similar in style but more upbeat and optimistic. These are more the more mainstream heavy metal tracks as its direct, likeable and gets you moving. Ghosts, the album closer is my favourite. The intro incorporates strings and piano (which i personally feel elevates any song) and it’s an appreciated change of pace and builds slowly and delicately alongside Hollos soft-spoken vocals. The atmosphere of this one is very dark, gloomy and atmospheric, dark like it’s counterparts but not as abrasive. Interestingly, when the chorus hits, it’s the instrumental that booms not the vocals which stays very controlled which is not an easy feat.
A favorite of mine from this album is I Refuse. A blistering scream which kicks of the track is a memorable showstopper and it’s fast, I was on the edge of my seat. It’s more passionate and angrier in nature, the hook is so captivating that after a minute i knew the lyrics and it got a well-deserved re - play. Overall, the album Close Your Eyes is fun, vibrant and well deliberated. 8/10
Meteora – In This Silence (H – Music) [Cherie Curtis]
In This Silence is a concept album featuring only 4 tracks and each track brings us something different. In This Silence brings us lightning-fast guitars and synthesizers which emulates an organ, it's a full sounding tension build that sets a scene. It was not at all what I was expecting, it’s a unique one and it has got to be one of the best openings to a song I've heard so far. Noemi Hollo’s soft beautiful vocals and Atilla Kiraly’s harsh and powerful ones are ying and yang, high contrast and very compatible. One without the other and it’s missing something but together it’s magic.
Rebirth is melodic yet the frantic. Hollo’s frenzied yet soft vocals are combined with harsh metal ones which gives us the headbanging tune we long for and Free, similar in style but more upbeat and optimistic. These are more the more mainstream heavy metal tracks as its direct, likeable and gets you moving. Ghosts, the album closer is my favourite. The intro incorporates strings and piano (which i personally feel elevates any song) and it’s an appreciated change of pace and builds slowly and delicately alongside Hollos soft-spoken vocals. The atmosphere of this one is very dark, gloomy and atmospheric, dark like it’s counterparts but not as abrasive. Interestingly, when the chorus hits, it’s the instrumental that booms not the vocals which stays very controlled which is not an easy feat.
Overall, it’s another good one. 7/10
Ancient Torment - Follow The Echo Of Curses (Eternal Death Records/Old Pain Records/GoatowaRex) [Matt Bladen]
From the bowls of New England it's Ancient Torment who release their debut album The Echo Of Curses. Formed by members of the band Witch King, this is black metal on a grand scale with 6 tracks spanning over 42 minutes it's breathless stuff with melancholic brilliance that comes through the blasts of vicious extreme metal.
There's atmospheric/orchestral swells that broaden the run times of tracks such as Sorrow Verses but nothing ever feels like it lingers for too long, as they rapidly unveil their musical skillset. Follow The Echo Of Curses is the sound of band in unison recording the record together in the solitude of Rhode Island woodlands. That pent up isolation and rage unleashed with tracks such as the the bludgeoning Dejected Dreams Molested In Purgatory or the venomous Under The Guise Of Virtue, these musicians giving everything you could want from a more atmospheric style of black metal.
With the epic Rotting Temperament closing this record you can hear the talent that this band have, it's been a long time coming but Ancient Torment deliver on their debut album. 7/10
Ancient Torment - Follow The Echo Of Curses (Eternal Death Records/Old Pain Records/GoatowaRex) [Matt Bladen]
From the bowls of New England it's Ancient Torment who release their debut album The Echo Of Curses. Formed by members of the band Witch King, this is black metal on a grand scale with 6 tracks spanning over 42 minutes it's breathless stuff with melancholic brilliance that comes through the blasts of vicious extreme metal.
There's atmospheric/orchestral swells that broaden the run times of tracks such as Sorrow Verses but nothing ever feels like it lingers for too long, as they rapidly unveil their musical skillset. Follow The Echo Of Curses is the sound of band in unison recording the record together in the solitude of Rhode Island woodlands. That pent up isolation and rage unleashed with tracks such as the the bludgeoning Dejected Dreams Molested In Purgatory or the venomous Under The Guise Of Virtue, these musicians giving everything you could want from a more atmospheric style of black metal.
With the epic Rotting Temperament closing this record you can hear the talent that this band have, it's been a long time coming but Ancient Torment deliver on their debut album. 7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment