LUCIDITY - Escherian

LUCIDITY

Album: Escherian

Genre: Melancholic Metal

Release Date: May 17th, 2024

Country: Finland

Label: Inverse Records

In the 20th year since their formation, Finnish melancholic proggers LUCIDITY release their 3rd album - "Escherian" - taking us on a protagonist's journey during which he desperately tries to escape a parallel reality. The character's story of experiencing the same moments over and over again can also be taken as a metaphor for our modern times and people moving forward without questioning the direction, even though they tread the same path day after day.

Music-wise, LUCIDITY give themselves time to develop the narrative, building up strong tension curves between calmer, sometimes mystical, and heavier, guitar-driven parts, connected by a certain melancholy and fluid song-writing. The use of different key instruments, like Hammond organ or piano, as well as a well-placed mix of clean and harsh vocals adds more variety to their offering, finding its creative climax during "In The Presence" when they melt Progressive Death Metal with jazzy interludes.

While "Escherian" is not one of these releases that caught me immediately, it left me curious enough to return, and grew with repeated listens. All-together an amazing discovery.

Written by Katha (originally for The Progspace)