Demo 2001

I bought this demo off Ebay along with some other demos which were all in cassette format. Being an older metalhead, I don't mind collecting cassettes, it reminds me of the days when you bought a release from a band and you learned to like it even if it wasn't too great, because you couldn't just go on Limewire or Myspace and preview it first (any 30+ year old metallers know what I'm talking about) and you had to sometimes take a chance at the record store or read a fanzine or go to a show to find new prospects.

Anyway back to the matter. This demo is the work of just 2 members, Spectral on guitars/vocals/bass/synth/programming, and Atrophous (now in Negative Plane) on guitars + synth. The demo leads off with "Solomons Key", a re-done version of the first ever LR song, complete with a symphonic intro and then fading into the metal, a mid-paced atmospheric churning classic black metal sweeping riff with nicely flowing programmed drums and synth parts in the background. When the vocals join in, they fit nicely into the mix, a semi aggressive middle to high range rasp, and every so often shifting to a high pitched scream or a low growl.

The guitars have a nice sound. A traditional black metal fuzz with a crisp and evil sound. Due to the catchiness of the guitar riffs and the atmosphere I didn't pay much attention to the drums, but they are well done for being programmed, complete with tom rolls and stops and intricate cymbal work. The production seems to vary song by song, suggesting that these tracks were recorded at seperate sessions, but it makes for a welcomed change at times, because sometimes with certain recordings a monotonous production can hinder the overall experience.

The leads done by Atrophous are expertly executed, and are a definite highlight to the songs which contain leads. Very haunting and desolate sounding indeed. this guy has huge potential, and I'm going to check out his work in Negative Plane after this.

Certain parts of this demo have a sort of a foreshadowing effect, as with each release LR moves slightly further from the traditional black metal sound. This seems evident in tracks like "Heart as a Demons", "Shattering of the Crystal", and "Ill Will of the Woods". It seems to be a move to a more cold, calculated, slightly futuristic and somewhat industrial sound. Either way it fits nicely to the whole scheme of things, and you can tell that they will always keep that core of evil and discordant riffs and sinister vocals.

This demo is the 9th release on Forgotten Wisdom Productions (France), and I can see why FWP wanted to pick up this release, as lately the french scene seems to be on the up and up, especially with their more obscure bands.

A definite worthwhile listen, if you can get over the differences in production.

Preferred tracks: "Ill Will of the Woods", "Shattering of the Crystal", and "Dream of the Necromancer"