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Lanfear is formed in 1993 and in 1996 they released their debut
album, Towers, independently. Despite the low response from record
labels, they kept going. Fortunately their music was well received
by the public and the band progressed well in the following years.
After a change in the line up and a demo, the band did get the
interest of the labels and signed with Massacre Records. Also the
band joined forces with the Danish Intromental as their management.
After raving critics on The Art Effect, the band is back a new and
rock solid album: Another Golden Rage, a top notch power metal album
with a hell of a crunch. Initially I had some reserves on the
originality of the music, as already in the opening track, ‘Another
Golden Rage’, there is a strong reference to Operation Mindcrime by
Queensr˙che, albeit with a more modern sound. Singer Althammer does
show he reaches the same level Geoff Tate reaches, although I prefer
him when he keeps to the middle range.
Basically the first half of the album is nothing special: great
guitarriffs, fast drums and good keyboard play, but fairly standard
power metal. But then comes ‘Eclipse’ and that was a real
surprise…very short, but very symphonic and different than the rest.
Actually it was more a bit of Seibel solo. But somehow I got the
feeling the rest of the songs are a bit more progressive. I did hear
a familiar Metallica riff in ‘Shades of Black’ and here they even
add a bit deathvox. But the riffs are just great. The band moves a
bit in the direction of prog metal and manages to create an
atmosphere that keeps you glued to the album.
Original music in this day and age will be a heck of a job, and for
me that is not what makes an album good or beautiful. What I find
important, is an album offering me something to make me keep playing
it more often and this is what Lanfear offers me: well written
compositions that are both powerful and melodious. It is not an
album that was rushed from beginning to end, no, obviously the band
has put their heart and soul in it and they know to touch the
listener.
The band shows they can do more than just play driven bass, fast
double bass and screaming guitarriffs. Next to the symphonic
‘Eclipse’, also ‘Eternally’ suprises, a beautiful ballad, that
reminded me of Marc Almond
J.
Not really metal, but very good and shows the band has potential and
is not tied to one style. ‘Outliving the Ages’ is a strong song and
a worthy closer of the album, where Geoff Tate once more pops up.
Another Golden Rage was my first getting acquainted with Lanfear and
I have to say I really enjoyed it. This album will most likely spend
many hours in my CD player, for the simple fact it is a great
album, offering more than any standard power metal album. Definitely
recommended! |
