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
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…Similar sounding releases
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1996EmperorIn the Nightside Eclipse
1998KekalBeyond The Glimpse Of Dreams
1998AntestorThe Return of the Black Death
2003BloodworkIn His Death
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