Reviewed by Graeme Crawford

Combing elements of death metal, black metal and more mainstream rock and metal, Lo-Ruhamah release an hour's worth of epic craftsmanship. It is obvious that the band spent a long time writing and recording this project, as they allow the seven tracks to flow seamlessly from one to the next, almost like a symphony. There is only a change in atmosphere or tempo to tell you that you have come to the next track, or section of a track. The three members of Lo-Ruhamah each provide a different vocal style to the project, with death metal style lead vocals, black metal style backing vocals and "traditional voice" provided by the drummer/pianist. Unlike most extreme metal releases, the vocals are very subdued in the mix and are used almost like another instrument, as opposed to being very upfront and harsh. Lyrically, the band show intelligence in their exploration of faith and life and swing from despair and questioning to hope and challenge. Providing each track with a quote from philosophers such as Kierkegaard or Sartre gives more scope for reflection and exploration of your personal faith. A solid release, appealing to, according to their label, "fans who appreciate death and black metal that isn't afraid to think outside of the box."

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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