CD REVIEW Luctus

Band: Luctus
Title: Jauciant Pabaiga Arti
Label: Ledo Takas Records
Distribution:Bertus
Release date: 01/01/2011
Review: re-release CD

One of the strongest Lithuanian formations is, without any doubt, Luctus, a one-man project with Kommander L. aka Simonas, who is also involved with Moonrise, Fuck Off And Die! and Division Of Death. In the past, Kommander L. (v, g, b, lyrics and music) worked together with session musicians from bands as Dreamland Poetry, Ossastorium, Nahash and Throne Of Decadence, and for this recording, he collaborated again with drummer Kingas of Xess/ Zymosis/ Dreamland Poetry/ Angis-fame.

The album was originally released on February 16th 2009 and now sees a worldwide re-release, based on a more decent distribution / promotion (?).Jauciant Pabaiga Arti was recorded at the well-known Phoenix Studio with Gints Lundbergs (Obtest, Urskumug, Dissimulation, Argharus, Skyforger etc), which gives the whole that dry and rough underground-sound, and it lasts for forty four minutes. The crunchy tracks are still inspired by an anti-human ideology, based on the stupidity of mankind. The cynical concept of the lyrics (which are, by the way, in Luctus’ mother tongue) deals with the idea of introspection and self-revelations before Death. Jauciant Pabaiga Anti means, by the way, feeling that the end is near. Musically this gets translated into harsh, mainly fast and aggressive Black Metal with a thrashy edge and an evident Baltic-Scandinavian approach. A few times, Luctus throttles back (e.g. G.Z.R.), but these slower parts aren’t less overpowering or violent.

The precision of the different elements has been thought through with attention for detail and conviction, and it makes this album an absolute must for fans of fast and rhythmic thrashing Black Metal!

90/100

Ivan Tibos.