Search - Lanfear :: Another Golden Rage

"You can't drown the voice within."

D. Knouse | vancouver, washington United States | 10/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the bursting forth of the title track to this Progressive Power Metal feast, the militaristic drums and soaring upper-register vocals dominating the listener's attention, it becomes obvious that Lanfear are a force of Metal to be admired and praised. Lanfear's previous album, "The Art Effect", is an explosion of creativity and brilliance. "Another Golden Rage" aspires to achieve this greatness while pushing the progressive side of the band even further beyond. The band itself has congealed into a single unit on this release, perhaps even more so that on "The Art Effect", with each member getting equal parts in the collective songcraft. The primary difference here is that there are many more unpredictable moments on this disc, with seventies progressive influences being the main reason for this, though there are even doses of Black Metal and eighties synth-pop thrown into the mix. Black Metal mixed with Power Metal? By all accounts, it shouldn't work. With the appropriately titled "Shades of Black" with its wall of sound/blast-beat sections and snarling vocals trading off with the Power Metal vocals, then ending with the final line growled in Death Metal style all combines for a deliciously bombastic chorus. This is a truly amazing concoction that is simply perfection! If it was at all possible after the excellent "The Art Effect" the production has somehow improved, as well. The most noticeable evidence of this is that all the instruments are now on an equal playing field, sonically speaking, each allowed its own space to lash out in fits of creativity. The band interplay is superb! The beginning of "Transmigration" has fantastic riffing supported by an impressive rhythm section, tasteful keyboards arriving after the chorus, underpinning and adding atmosphere. "Eclipse" begins with the creaking of a door then gives way to the catchy tune of a music box which then blooms into full-fledged orchestration. The collective effect of this atmospheric track is just beautiful! "The Voice Within" is a perfect Power Metal track with introspective lyrics, catchy guitar riffs, underlying keyboard flourishes, creative drumming and bass playing, a great chorus, and a fine guitar solo that is more about emotive finesse than speed. Tobias Althammer's vocals are as emotional as ever but here he has found power in the middle ranges as well as flying to the clouds where his voice touches the heavens. He has complete command of his talents and it is frequently awesome to behold. The only misstep on this album, and I actually stared at my stereo for a moment thinking a different CD had suddenly possessed my system, is the somewhat sappy "Eternally." This track is a computerized, keyboard-laden song with fluffy vocals and a saxophone solo (?) and is incredibly out of place next to the other songs here. After hearing this song, while not an entirely horrible experience, makes me want to backtrack and crank up "Shades of Black" again. The most progressive of all the songs here is "What...For" that begins with a Black Metal riff overladen with gothic keyboards which then switches to seventies prog-rock with a touch of eighties synth-pop for added flavor. This is without a doubt the most interesting song on the album; and while it has been a small struggle to get into, as most good prog-music usually is, the rewards are many for those willing to put forth the effort. If not for the curious addition of "Eternally" I would hail this as a flawless album. "Another Golden Rage" and "The Art Effect" are, however, both among the absolute elite albums released in Progressive and/or Power Metal in recent years. Both albums have the same lineup, as well, which if they stay together only portends greatness to come. Outstanding! Thank you.





1. Another Golden Rage

2. The Unrestrained

3. Dispraise

4. Transmigration

5. Eclipse

6. Shades of Black

7. The Voice Within

8. In Silence

9. Eternally

10. What...For

11. Outliving the Ages"

Solid melodic metal

Christopher Hivner | Dallastown, PA USA | 04/18/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Lanfear is another melodic progressive metal band and for the most part they do a good job. The guitar work is heavy and tight with some decent solos thrown around. The singer has a big, soaring voice that propells each song along and fits in well with their sound. The strongest tracks for me were "Transmigration", "The Voice Within" and "Another Golden Rage." "Shades of Black" was an unusual song. It had a very cool riff but also some strange switches a few times where the voice and music changed and ruined it for me. There is a little bit of synthesizer used throughout but it's pretty cheesy and should have been eliminated. Also, they attempt an outright balad with "Eternally" and it's terrible. Easily the worst song on the CD."