Led Astray - Official Website
In Ways Unforeseen |
Netherlands
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Review by Allan on October 7, 2004.
Birthed from the wombs of such bands as Borknagar, Spiral Architect, 1349 and Satyricon, one can make a fairly accurate guess as to where exactly Norway's Lunaris sit on the imaginary musical spectrum that we all like to overuse in an attempt to easily classify such things. The avant-garde aspect of Borknagar shines through Lunaris' thick black metal foundation, and of course, the Spiral Architect influence pushes them far enough to be labeled as post-black metal. Surprisingly enough, Lunaris manage to shape things into a well-rounded follow-up to their debut, Cyclic.
There are a number of things that can go wrong when it comes to anything labeled as post-black metal (or post-anything for that matter). Such things as incongruity and a lack of cohesiveness are often what ruin albums by bands who set their sights too high. However, after numerous listens, I think it's safe to say that Lunaris has more or less evaded such troubles.
Black metal is the inarguably the central sound for Lunaris. The vocals and the guitar-work revolve around this style for the most part, keeping in mind that there are plenty of gaps that are filled by progressive and death metal. The progressive influence is an integral part of Lunaris' sound. The riffs, despite being rooted in black metal, are certainly of progressive nature. Needless to say, at times things get quite technical; thankfully, Lunaris never get in over their heads. In addition to the technical guitar work, we're treated to both clean and black metal vocals courtesy of Balfori and Maztema, and some tasteful keyboards. Most importantly, the music on Cyclic sounds full, inspired, and mature.
Lunaris is one of the few bands that have actually gotten the post-black metal thing down. The harsh, grating, coldness of black metal can be felt amidst the tumultuous death metal edge, which is held together by the technical prowess of progressive metal. When you're in the mood for such a mixture of metal, what more could you ask for? Cyclic has solidified Lunaris' place in the metal scene.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9
Originality: 7
Overall: 7
Rating: 7.8 out of 10
Review by JD on August 10, 2009.
What is fast as a hummingbird on speed, furious as a huge pack of Tasmanian Devils feeding on the dead and has drumming that can cause major brain damage if played for way too long? Holland’s Led Astray is the band that brings that out for your listening pleasures.
Sounding as if they are BrainDrill (Metal Blade artist) on way too much coffee, Led Astray pummels you with some seriously intense blasts of sonic might. Lightning fast drumming and laser sharp guitars pounds you into submission... while the bassist seems to want to gouge your brain out with a dull butter knife with how heavy he puts down his low-toned craft.
Musically, I don’t think that you can get any more solid... but it is vocally that this crumbles a bit. Seems that Led Astray took a page out of Black Metal masters Emperor’s line of tricks... but that was not a great idea. Set so low in the mix, the vocals are pretty much muddied right out of the recording... and seems to be wasted.. I have listened to many Death, Doom and other styles of metal over the years, and this is the first time that I could not make out the words... or even pick out the vocals.
It pains me to have to do this to a band that is musically so good and really powerful that it can curdle milk a half mile away... but my rating for this band needs to be done and done where I can sleep at night. I am honest about every rating I have ever given out... but that don’t mean I am a gonna have to like it either.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Production: 4
Originality: 4.5
Overall: 5
Rating: 5.6 out of 10