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A Demonstration of Excellence - 90%
Is there anything quite like hearing a standout demo? Knowing that a band is capable of creating a captivating recording right off the bat just makes the future feel bright. For that reason, the Dutch black metal duo Laster’s debut demo is worth noting. In a mere a nineteen minutes Laster manages to make a resounding statement of intent.
Wijsgeer & Narreman consists of three rich and emotional pieces of melodic black metal. The most obvious inspiration here is early Drudkh. The guitars have the same dense and fuzzy tone while the drums are played in a similarly loose and sprightly style. The melodies waver between depressive and cathartic moods, at times managing to express both sensations at once. The vocals are high pitched shrieks a la early Burzum. There is a subtle post rock/metal influence here as well, though it’s seamlessly integrated into the blackened soundscape. The production is excellent; all the instruments sound rich and full and everything is well balanced.
Wijsgeer & Narreman has an excellent arc, ebbing and flowing between sentimental highs and lows. “In levenskolken, in dadenstorm” shifts between an inspired, virile verse and a somber chorus. “Tot eenheid verweven” reverses the order; the depressive element is central, while bright moments of inspiration spring forth from time to time. The title track is just beautiful. A reflective, melancholic melody loops like a lullaby. The rhythms constantly shift, teasing out a variety of feelings. Eventually, the song reaches an acoustic interlude that leads to an intense outro of shivering post-metal guitar work.
It’s hard to think of Wijsgeer & Narreman as a demo. Between the excellent performance, stellar production and the holistic flow of the recording, it feels more like an EP released by an established band than a debut recording. If I had a record label, I would be trying to get Laster’s pen to paper ASAP, because if this is what the band can do with a demo, then there’s no telling what they can achieve on a full length.
(Originally written for deafsparrow.com)
