LAMENTARI - Ex Umbra In Lucem

LAMENTARI

Album: Ex Umbra In Lucem

Genre: Symphonic Death / Black Metal

Release Date: May 24th, 2024

Country: Denmark

Label: Self-Released

Band-Links: LINKTREE / SHOP / BANDCAMP / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK

Fascinated by the Danish Extreme Metal scene delivering some real bangers over the recent years, it’s great to see another force rising from there – the Symphonic Black Metal sextet LAMENTARI. They already gained well-deserved attention with their first EPs and live performances at Copenhell or Wacken Metal Battle among others, and now unleash their debut album, “Ex Umbra In Lucem” (from the shadow into light).

A choir intro with light strings sets a mystical mood, then the guitar joins by overtaking the main motif before “Tenebrae” breaks loose. Relentless harsh vocals get carried by a huge Extreme Metal soundscape, with the guitar and orchestra adding melody and majestic harmonic layers.

The following “Tragoedia in Domo Dei” (tragedy in the house of god) weaves threads story-wise by delving into the protagonist's turmoil besieged by a self-invoked demon. Lost and ensnared he embarks on a new path, only to find himself stifled by the entity’s presence, which brings pain and chaos to his world. Seeking solace in organized religion, he discovers the corruption within its hierarchy and those closest to divinity.

Music-wise, this song absolutely delivers with its diverse instrumentation, and while the listening experience is best described as mind blowing, it's the little details and playful interludes that make it standing out by building up even more tension - And they can hold this throughout the whole album. I could name other highlights like the furious finale of "Appugno", and the thoughtful "Dolorum Memoria", but at the end of the day, this mighty record needs to be listened in in entirety to fully unfold.

With "Ex Umbra In Lucem", LAMENTARI release an epic piece, skillfully melting classical and extreme music. The overall mood is gloomy, building up the story with a dense atmosphere. On the "Metal side", we have a band firing on all cylinders, yet playing with a mesmerizing virtuosity, especially within the guitar and bass solo sections. On the Symphonic side, we hear the grand orchestra with brass, woodwind and string elements (recorded at the legendary AIR Studios in London), often playing along, but also having their own moments to shine, being way more an integral part of the whole than “just” programmed background orchestration. The dynamic within the compositions works well in all directions, whether in loudness or tempo, perfectly supported by the detailed production. Considering this is a debut album makes things even more impressive, and will hopefully bring LAMENTARI to light for a bigger audience.

Written by Katha