Lake of Tears always seem to soar right under the radar, no matter how they package themselves. From their earlier, crushing heavy releases, the catchy proggy doom acid trip of "A Crimson Cosmos", the psyechedelic spinning of "The Neonai" or perhaps the autumnal somber sorrow of "Forever Autumn", their cds rarely get much publicity and are always something... unique.
So it goes with their latest,
"Illwill" which is their first studio record since 2007's "Moons and Mushrooms" which was, itself, a gothic mixed bag of unmistakably
Lake of Tears material out on the emotive town, gussied up in heavy eye liner and Hot Topic garb
. "Illwill" is kind of a mixed medium of everything that came before, a touch more raw, less melancholic and more aggressive instead, with an undercurrent of restless fury that lends yet another interesting touch to their sound. Although it is hard not to stand apart when you have a distinctive voice leading the charge, as Daniel Brennare does for 'Tears.
"Illwill" is not their greatest achievement, that would go to the underrated masterpiece that is "Forever Autumn", however, there is plenty here to ponder over.
"Floating in Darkness" lays exposed the fact that
Lake of Tears is no longer wallowing around in their gently depressing melancholic land. They previously have taken depressed doom washed music to a greater art form, but that approach has been abandoned and lives here no longer.
"Floating" is all quick pacing, thunderous and as aggressive as a pit full of alligators vying for a fresh carcass. It's snap and teeth, fangs running out and not a moment wasted for catching the breath. This is an evolved, seriously pissed off version of
Lake of Tears, and far divorced from the band that gave us "The Neonai".
The title song is fine spun hatred, thick distorted riffs, and bristling disgust,
"Illwill" lashes out and still maintains the unusual sound that sets LOT apart from the rest. The snarling vocals and general disillusionment makes for a swirling assault of surrender, negativity and a sense of hopeless panic. There is so much emotion here, and none of it is happy sunshine... Lightning riffing and a very forward heavy metal approach drive
"The Hating" like a smiting hammer. Then it just trips off into a wonderland of snarling unrest and spiderweb spinning riffs.
"House of the Setting Sun" represents the personal preference of
Lake of Tears' repretoir. An atmospheric track of questioning madness and Daniel's lower dark purr, rumbling like a shadow cat pacing in the darkness, he gives voice to this 70s influenced warped piece that harkens back to some of the "softer" albums from the midpoint in their career. A masterpiece of deep, dark loneliness and hopelessness.
"Behind the Green Door" selects a rhythm and just rolls with it, coming to climax with an unexpectedly clean guitar solo that brings the song to its final exist.
"Parasites" is fast paced thrash, barreling forward in a flurry of guitars and growling vocals, it feels very early
Megadeth in places.
"Out of Control" tones it down a little and gets into the repetitive grooves of earlier LOT tracks like "Devil's Diner", in fact, the vocal approach is very similar as well. The breakout electric guitar element is again, quite a surprise, yet seems to suit the song nicely. But the greatest surprise comes at the very end. The black metal
"Midnight Madness" has vocals that are ripped right out like a wolf with a slashed throat, raw and almost painful. Time keeper drums, rattling screams and rage born electric guitar give the song its crunch, roar and purpose.
"Illwill" wears a variety of different costumes and none seem to fit like they should. The album shows an array of varying styles and moods that pick and skip through their past releases at seeming random, but never settling on one particular skin. The abandonment and general disquiet is still a major factor in their music, but instead of being represented as an artful depression, it's channeled in fast, furious rage. The aggression and wide use of thrash elements will turn a lot of
Lake of Tears fans off, even if they are competent compositions that are worth giving a fair shake for what they are instead of condemned for not aligning with past expectations.
"Illwill" is a solid disc, that will unlikely stir fond memories and many future replays as past LOT albums have enjoyed. Their stamp is on every song, and as no one else is quite like
Lake of Tears, that seems to be enough to satisfy for now. Especially after the four year drought since the last one.
Written by
Alanna Sunday, May 15, 2011
Show all reviews by AlannaRatingsAlanna: 7/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
This article has been shown 1541 times. Go to the
complete list.
