Lord Lucan

Heimdalls Wacht – Geisterseher Review

Heimdalls Wacht – Geisterseher Review

By Lord Lucan on October 13, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, German Metal, Trollzorn/SMP Records, Black Metal, 15 comments

“For black metal songwriters in search of strong conceptual themes, few subjects capture the imagination like the intricate folklore of European paganism. Not only are the old myths and traditions fascinating in their own right, the celebration of pre-Christian heritage is unequivocally akin to waving a big fat middle finger in the direction of modern religion – a practice firmly in line with the general ethos of the genre. Hailing from the town of Ahlen in western Germany, Heimdalls Wacht are one such band. Describing themselves rather extravagantly as ‘anti-Christian pagan musical art.'” Music art for the pagan soul.

Agatus – The Eternalist Review

Agatus – The Eternalist Review

By Lord Lucan on October 11, 2016 in Black Metal, Greek Metal, Heavy Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, NWOBHM, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 35 comments

“In today’s fast-paced world where instant gratification is king, once a winning formula has been established, it’s tempting for many bands to play it safe, shy away from experimentation, and resort to simply churning out variations on the same record every few years (*cough* Amon Amarth *cough*). I always have a lot of respect therefore for musicians who are willing to take a risk, mix things up a bit and diversify their style – creating their own record as opposed to simply writing what is expected of them. Agatus are one such band.” A double review brought to you by administrative tomfoolery.

Freya – Grim Review

Freya – Grim Review

By Lord Lucan on October 7, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Fast Break! Records, Metalcore, Reviews, Sludge, Metalcore, Sludge Metal, 26 comments

“Once almost exclusively the preserve of floppy-haired teenagers, metalcore is a style that seems to delight and depress in equal measure, depending on whom you talk to. There is a smattering of bands who fall into the genre however, such as Heaven Shall Burn, While She Sleeps and Crossfaith, to name but a few, who manage to demonstrate that with the right nous it’s in fact possible to produce a substantially more wholesome, mature record than your stereotypical ‘core’ band. Formed in Syracuse in 2001 out of the ashes of local straight-edge vegancore outfit Earth Crisis, Freya have been churning out sludgy metalcore, with much emphasis on their hardcore beginnings, for over a decade now.” Upstate New York in da house!

Ancient – Back to the Land of the Dead Review

Ancient – Back to the Land of the Dead Review

By Lord Lucan on September 18, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Italian Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Soulseller Records, Black Metal, 60 comments

“I find black metal deeply polarizing. While helplessly captivated by the cold, desolate aura of much of the genre’s higher quality output, I also find myself mind-numbingly frustrated when magnificent records are in my view ruined by intentionally dreadful production, sounding as though they were recorded not in a studio but rather in a metal bin at the bottom of a distant lake (Transilvanian Hunger anyone?). Founded in Bergen in the early nineties by frontman Aphazel, the aptly-named Ancient have been diligently plying their trade for almost a quarter of a century now, establishing a back catalogue of uncharacteristically lush-sounding black metal and recruiting a small but loyal following along the way.” Old and cold, or old and bold?