It's strange that Tooth and Nail is signing these Norwegian imports to their Solid State hardcore imprint, first Extol and now, Lengsel (obviously, the fact that the guitarist/ vocalist for Lengsel is also the bassist for Extol had something to do with it). Let's hope T&N head honcho Brandon Ebel continues to be true to his metal roots--he used to work for Frontline, Napalm Death was listed as one of his fave bands on the T&N site once--and pick up these quality acts for hungry American fans.
Lengsel is just as sonically dense as Extol, but with more black metal and less death and '80s thrash riffs. To most music listeners, even unsuspecting Solid State hardcore fans, this will sound like untalented noise, but it's very intricate, busy music with more musical precision in each song than most bands could dream of accomplishing. The amount and speed of the compositions overwhelms the senses and causes untrained ears to perceive a steel wall of chaotic noise rather than a carefully groomed hedge with beautiful flowers, thick branches, leaves, and wicked thorns.
Like many black and death metal bands these days, Lengsel relies much on melody, which makes them much more accessible than black metal can be. Subdued keyboards slide underneath the distortion and provide atmosphere. Impossibly gorgeous, simultaneously rich and delicate acoustic passages punctuate the storm of sound on occasion; if Lengsel ever made a full acoustic album, it would be the most beautiful one ever heard. Hopefully they'll follow the example of bands like Opeth and incorporate longer mellow sections into their future compositions.
The vocals thankfully stay away from the typical shrieks and gurgles, sticking to a mid-range rasp that's about as easy on the ears as black metal vocals get. Occasional normal singing is in keeping with the relative variety that marks the album.
Lengsel's lyrics are poetic and intelligent, if a little oddly phrased from time to time due to the English-as-second-language factor. The strain of seeking faith among a faithless people is the main thrust of their songs. "Revival" goes:
Weakened I dry out the faith
and then kiss its forehead
uncertain slavering
Then, in "Hours":
If man is sane, then I am not
In these hours it is a blessing,
embracing insanity I am not one of them
And I can hear the screaming
They are screaming at me desperately
Lengsel is one of those albums that grows and grows on you, delivering up new treats to the ears with each new listen. They sound like dozens of other European black metal bands, but among those with Christian lyrics, this is the best I've heard (better than Antestor or Kekal).
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #84Reviewed by Tim McCreadyWhen Solid State signed Extol, I was impressed. I thought they had signed the perfect black metal band. They've definitely outdone themselves this time. I'm not about to try and decide who's better, but Oslo, Norway's Lengsel, through their unbelievable technical ability and originality is definitely giving Extol a run for their money. Not that there's any competition I'm sure. Lengsel's…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis Norwegian band makes extreme metal with the emphasis on Extreme. This is not clear when you listen to the title-song which starts off this album with a dark but not heavy ocean-full of noises. But then follows Revival with fast rolling double-bass, roaring guitars and a pounding bass. This must be the soundtrack of someone being in the middle of a thunderstorm, out on the sea. Lengsel is a…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by CrusaderSolace is a cd for which I have mixed feelings. Nothing to do with lyrics though, well not really anyways, cause I don't even usually pay attention to lyrics when listening to music, of course there's always the exceptions but anyhow.. If you've read other reviews of mine, you probably know by now I'm one of those people who can't stand sucky production. That is my only complaint with this cd.…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by D_ListerI'll bet you were expecting a higher rating on this album from me weren't you? Tor Mange, bassist for Extol (a band you KNOW I love) metal from Norway...still it gets a 5 from me why? Well because for this one I broke the rating down to two categories. In this one I rated the music and lyrics separately. For me the music scores a perfect 5 out of 5. This is a CD full of frozen nordic black metal…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by SORGI can not quit listening to this disc!!! (at time of printing) I have owned this for 8 days and it has not left my disc changer yet. I listen to this masterpiece at least once through daily. It is that good!!! The music is brilliant and also very hard to describe. The overall sound is black metal but unlike any black band I have ever heard. There are bound to be some comparisons to Extol mostly…Similar sounding releases
1999ClemencySpiritual Domination
1994Living SacrificeInhabit
1996EmperorIn the Nightside Eclipse
1999KekalEmbrace the Dead
1998AntestorThe Return of the Black Death
2003MoriahWhere, Death, Is Your Victory
