Lothlöryen-Principles of a Past Tomorrow

The cover of this album looks like some sort of gathering. A man can be seen tied up to a tree, this is possibly a cannibalistic roast of some type. They look calm and collected, as if they could care less about any human morality. They seem to be their own authority. One side of the equation is tempered and intelligent thought with reason, others more questionable. Kings, scientists, the greatest thinkers known to man. The sides almost mirror each other. And then you begin to fully grasp what this is here. One side is from long ago and the other the not so long ago, the old age, and along comes the new age. All together you wonder, if this fire with 'human meat' in the middle at center stage, represents things to come. Then just what is this? You wonder if the gathering of famous figures says to the onlooker this is the collective reason and intelligence of humanity, but with the man burning at the stake you realize, that everything which came before is gone. Humanity has been reduced to animals, whom are completely filled with blood lust by the cold fire's flames. My what hunger must lurk in the bellies of these beasts. Mighty men of mass intelligence and reason have been reduced to pawns in a much LARGER game.

Track 1. A Journey Begins- A quiet whisper of digital clamor begins a peaceful yet quiet note which pounces its way past your ear drums. The sound expands, delivering insight. A strum beckons more thought upon the subject. Curiosity begins to weigh in quite heavily. A classical strum, now with a second guitar with a more pronounced aged affect to it introduces what has come before. A wholesome yet not traditional beat is played. The long drawn out note seems to be the completion of the foreplay for this intro. It has incited your mind to become interested, thus you are. The interesting clean melody continues on. It is lone and yet you deeply become connected with it quite suddenly. A crunching hard rock groove if for moment rocks, it awakens your senses proudly, and then it rocks some more. A transition occurs a few times between the classical and this heavy beast that has just made itself known. A decent track to say the least, but I did not really like how it ended, very abruptly.

Track 2. Heretic Chant- Immediately you begin to realize why the first track left off where it did. This track picks up, without pause the moment carries over completely. It swell's up from a quiet and wonderful place to create a steady metal groove, palm muted excellence. The back bone of the music is now controlled by crisp and powerful hard hitting drums. The vocals have an odd quality to them, not bad, though I am digging the harmonic vocals more than anything here. Vocal clarity is fair. Good metal riffs, interesting and aggressive syncopation. A solo that will drive through hell and back without question or reason. The feel of the song takes a darker turn if only just for a moment. There is some back and forth between quiet and relentless. At times this is thoroughly entertaining music. The song ends up at a point where vocals have been dubbed in, not sure exactly what is being said, although they seem to be making an observation of the crazy actions that just occurred within the storied framework of the music.

Track 3. God is Many- This track begins with an interesting and cool metal groove. It is tight with great metal riffs, along with an organ playing? A transition to a clean yet rocking groove. The metal clusters together back into the mix like a drunk fist in a fight at a nice syncopated rate. I like the slow yet heavy feel here. The hooking riffs seem to slide in and out of place like a slithering snake ready to strike, they bite too! Lot's of heavy crunch here. Vocal's seem ok, but a bit more melody would not hurt, clarity is quite good though, again excellent vocal harmonies. The cleaner vocals however sound much better than anything. The piano part that plays makes the part become more pronounced. The echo within the mix seems to drag along with it METAL back into the fray accompanied by a violin, if only subtly. Sweet fucking harmonic metal riffs, reinforce a mighty timeline of destruction. The theme of the album is felt here, the before and after. Reason, and then Insanity, in my opinion all themes that can be seen on the cover of this album. Really digging these progressive melodic metal guitar parts. More ticking of the clock, as if time is passing and or even running out. With the lead vocals and harmony vocals, it's almost as if two groups seem to be arguing their way, which is better. The eclectic groove plays out, transitioning into something more clean, eventually it dies upon a final strum. Good ending liked how it just went from all out metal and then completely leveling out to calm, which brings onwards a taste of death.

Track 4. Time Will Tell- A gathering of persons, maybe the crowd on the front cover, fill the beginning of this track with chatter. A distant piano part plays, as the party goes on. A classical themed groove seems to take over the track, but subtle metal bleeds through. An alternative instrument provides a conviction of serious manners to the track. The vocals seem better here. Guitar riffs seem to escalate up the fretboard, creating a violent essence of creative yet awesome freedom. The back and forth between the classical and metal to me continues to convey the before and after of the album cover message, that they are stuck between acting like men with reason, and animals stuck in utter insanity. The confusion leaves and the guitar solo stays with a rocking might! The piano introduces a melodic yet classical fright. The end of this mini party is in sight. A last rumble of thunder comes aboard with more pain. Tasty riffs and tight drumming done just right! A perfect mix of the classical themes, along with the metal might! I like how the vocals echo, along with the use of subtle digital backing track effects. The good thing however is that the digital effects are not overused.

Track 5. Manipulative Waves- A full on medieval fair is possibly going on as we collapse upon the sound of this track. The sound fades away, and possibly into an after party, that includes thundering METAL. A slow yet stalking groove wins the fight. The vocals echo over the track in a dirty manner. A wave of metal washes over the masses, consuming your ears. The vocal melodies bring a feeling that begins to trump your mind with an awesome euphoric pain. The thumping metal guitars mute at the guidance of iron fist palms, which run steady, creating an instant affect of hell onto your audible senses. The dual guitars turn ten fold into a quiet yet classical experience held heavy yet steady with endearing vocals. The monster comes back to life pretty damn quickly, a pause then silence. An explosion of metal via palm muted flames. The vocal harmonies continue on with the slow yet heavy groove. I am wishing things would have changed timing more but the parts are none the less interesting still, as the song dies, one last shout rings through the track.

Track 6. Night is Calling- A dark yet fathomable opponent makes it's presence known. Pieces splinter inwards toward the mix. Your a quick study but it becomes overwhelming. It does not take very long though for your ears to muster the courage up as it gets closer. The sound is upon you now, with its full force and enigmatic glory. No further test is given, but an outright explosion of steady crunched metal ascends from the depths below. A slower yet yearning groove subtly forces its way inwards. The main hook provides a syncopation which makes you question the night. Something is out in the night, calling, its quite clear, and borderline Epic. A siren of sounds bounces around mixing in a pot of fury, diligence and seemingly past due justice. You are treated to a massive overdose of metal. The crunching groove intertwines melodies quite well, though you end up wishing for more melodic or heavy metal shredding guitars, though it's decent material.

Track 7. And Dowland Plays- A crowd simmers in the background of the track. Nonchalant chatter lingers, as a serene yet passive acoustic guitar riff plays. It seems almost like an opening for something, but what? The crowd seems to be almost asleep at the wheel, completely unaware of what they are doing, all while this guitar plays on saying quite possibly in sorrow, look at what we have become. We are monsters, how did it come to this? It is an interesting clean acoustic part, quite the minimalist track it is.

Track 8. The Convict- You notice a similar move in this groups play book. The previous song may have been the intro for this track, it sort of begins right where the other left off. A full on bore of METAL. It is without care, seemingly the reaction to the previous quiet statement, though without any regrets it marches forth with much due aggression and a hungry appetite to introduce destruction. Very crisp drumming, and heavy tasty guitar riffs here, a low squeal or two. Vocals seem to burst into the frantic scene portrayed here. A vague clean notion is ripped back into the frame, quite odd. Clear vocals provide the motivation. A trigger happy double bass has more than enough back bone to drive it home. Hard hitting, though sometimes I wish drums were a bit more in the mix. Backing harmonies excellent. EPIC yet guitar solo, more please. Vocal's are heard over the sweet metal groove, they are seemingly dubbed in for some sort of external thought affect. However you can't tell what's being said. A story unfolds again upon the vocal harmonies. More melodic metal riffs grace us with their presence, and then it all fades into a digital space in some crack within the sides of reality. A tiny slither, a touchable taste of bass can be heard, but not quite enough to massively enjoy it.

Track 9. The Quest is On- A slippery finger or two play a delicate note, here and there. A strum upon an ancient sounding guitar, and yet an even older vocalist of the digital variety, musters its way through the track. It delivers a message of knowledge being transposed somehow through time, or about time. A rupture of heavy METAL, opens doors to a somewhere. The vocals enrich the track, at times the leads I have questioned when they have been raspy, but the clean vocals here, they are pretty damn awesome. The harmonies are good as always. This music is an eclectic mix of parts metallic and classical, though partially convoluted. Although the part where the song breaks down some, the heavy guitars becoming more prominent, the clean guitar part that rings out, it cuts a sweet slice through the music. A melodic solo rips its way ahead of everything, then the track slows down, opening up questions in every direction. A subtle fuzz entrenches into the quality of the vocal recording for the track. The syncopated attack continues its message out to the end, dying in a sudden blaze of glory.

Track 10. Who Made the Maker- It grows quite quickly into the track, like a plant meant to instill life, but permeates glory and maybe even a divine death. The track fades away nearly as quick as it ruptures the creative access to your mind. It's almost as if someone is questioning the utter existence of a deity. The digital effects created a whining affect that set's in stone this mere short question. Who made the Maker?

Track 11. The Law and the Insider- An eclectic and meaningful acoustic riff begins this. A somewhat muffled sounding metal trance of riffs makes its parlay known. The slow trudging riff guides slowly above it's wings of glory vocals that have a bite of dirt that you wish did not bite so much, its been a slight annoying issue in the rasp of these vocals. Still loving the backing vocals of Leko, however the lead vocals do excellent cleans, his rasps though at times sound like he's being choked off, and can't quite reach his full potential. Raw sounding riffs, dominate this track, with a whole amount of dramatic war fractured soul. Aggressive metal, sways control of this beast garnering my favor massively. Melodic guitar riffs bring about a clean echoing intermission, one which is awe inspiring and bright within the mix. Love how the metal riff starts up again with the POUNDING BASS DRUM!!! Total head banging moment here! And just like that your pulled swiftly without apology back into the groove, a hard nosed alliance of upright ass kicking music. The vocals feel angry, clarity is called into question, but the harmonies are pretty good when all together. The low trudge of metal, ends with a beat that just fizzes out into the black of night, interesting at times, odd at others.

Track 12. Wavery Time- A very clean, thorough strum is guided, finger by finger upon a slow path of question. Daniel's vocals seem of decent quality, they are warm and endearing though just a bit muffled within the studio mix. You hear what you think is a violin bleed into things. An easy going feel, overtakes the track, though quite passionate. The melodies take on a somewhat hopeful and playful tone. Digital atmospheric melodies slowly stretch through the background of the song. As the guitar plays on, the vocals hold out a high note with great talent, a monumental reach. A woodwind or two can be heard delivering a few extra serene bursts of joy. The track for a moment takes melody in multiple directions. A light yet rocking crunchy groove delivers a flavor of positive reinforcement, describing a seemingly open world. I see the hard hitting drums found their way into the mix, though they are hitting a more careful and deliberate punch. A glittery rush announces what could be the final stroke of clean acoustic driven melody here. The warm yet interestingly clean male vocals fade upon a whisper. The album ends as you think the sun may have set, and that the party is now over. Yes you may all go home!

Very odd review, but in the end you come away somewhat understanding what's transpired here. Overall, a delicious brand of heavy melodies with classical ferocity and shine. Some parts were minimalistic and dirty, others a tad mediocre, but shined through quite nicely. Vocals were outstanding, other than Daniel's raspy lead's, I wish those would have been more powerful, at times he felt like he was being chocked off, not reaching his full potential. The harmonies without question have quite a presence when singing with the leads. Some of the tracks left me wishing there were more aggressive drum parts that shined through the mix better. Also some more melodic guitar parts, would not have hurt. There were some questionable areas I noticed with muffled mixed parts, either too close to the mic, or maybe even it had something to do with the room said recording took place in, but overall the melodies, changes, and intricate parts that kept you guessing keep your interest. Rating 8/10.