Lunaris Cyclic
Elitist Records MOSH909CD 22.03.04
By Anna Novitzky
When youre going through an emotional and existential crisis, there are certain bands you dont want to listen to. With song titles like Lessons in Futility and Casualties of Peace Lunaris are probably one of those bands. Luckily, being of the death/black metal crossover persuasion, its hard to make out what must assuredly be utterly soul-crushing lyrics still, its also hard to convince yourself that theyre singing about fluffy bunnies and nice sunshine.
Which is, of course, all as it should be. However, what they are singing about sounds interesting space and time, religion and the insignificance of the human race, anyone? if only we could hear it. All much of a muchness since we cant, so I will now stop going on about it. The music, then: an interesting mix of the traditional and the progressive, with some songs possessed of your usual sub-Emperor Norwegian metal riffage and early Cradle of Filth shrieking, and others having rather intriguing Ephel Duath-esque jazz metal leanings. Its an exercise in Look at us, arent we clever? that doesnt always come off, due to a tendency to lay on the pomposity a bit thickly. For the most part, though, its an entertaining and provocative listen, with the sudden changes of tack keeping you on your toes and the general atmosphere marking them out that little bit from the crowd. Just dont listen to it if youre on Prozac or uncomfortable with your place as an insignificant member of the insignificant human race.
7/10
Official Lunaris Website
Official Elitist Website
Elitist Records MOSH909CD 22.03.04
By Anna Novitzky
When youre going through an emotional and existential crisis, there are certain bands you dont want to listen to. With song titles like Lessons in Futility and Casualties of Peace Lunaris are probably one of those bands. Luckily, being of the death/black metal crossover persuasion, its hard to make out what must assuredly be utterly soul-crushing lyrics still, its also hard to convince yourself that theyre singing about fluffy bunnies and nice sunshine.
Which is, of course, all as it should be. However, what they are singing about sounds interesting space and time, religion and the insignificance of the human race, anyone? if only we could hear it. All much of a muchness since we cant, so I will now stop going on about it. The music, then: an interesting mix of the traditional and the progressive, with some songs possessed of your usual sub-Emperor Norwegian metal riffage and early Cradle of Filth shrieking, and others having rather intriguing Ephel Duath-esque jazz metal leanings. Its an exercise in Look at us, arent we clever? that doesnt always come off, due to a tendency to lay on the pomposity a bit thickly. For the most part, though, its an entertaining and provocative listen, with the sudden changes of tack keeping you on your toes and the general atmosphere marking them out that little bit from the crowd. Just dont listen to it if youre on Prozac or uncomfortable with your place as an insignificant member of the insignificant human race.
7/10
Official Lunaris Website
Official Elitist Website
