Lemuria
Chanson de la Croisade
Rating
Style: Symphonic Black Metal
Release date: 11 November, 2010
Playing time: 64:23
 

Six years after the debut 'Tales, Ale & Fire' these Belgians have come up with their new record 'Chanson de la Croisade'. Many things changed; the production and mastering have improved and the humorous approach of the debut is gone. They improved the symphonic black-metal with folk and cinematic elements. The lyrics form a concept story and the songs are more adjusted to each other.

Vocalist Niklaas sounds a lot like Dimmu Borgir's Shagrath especially when using his black metal sounding voice. Besides that there are grunting parts and clean singing parts on this album. The more prominent use of the keyboards is the biggest step the band has taken. It gives their music more warmth and the songs sometimes sound like a soundtrack. The more epic approach is a big step forward and the separate heroic epic songs form a big unity. The use of choirs like in "Death & Submission" even amplifies the epic parts. If I have to compare the music of the band with colleagues, you have to think about Dimmu Borgir and our own Carach Angren. Especially the atmosphere you feel when listening to the complete album is familiar with that of Carach Angren.

My southern neighbours have made a very competitive epic atmospheric sounding symphonic black metal album. It includes a 28 page full colour booklet, with various art works in between and in the back grounds. The band believes in it, that's for certain, time for a label to sign this band?
Tracklist

01. Orritania, Anno 1209

02. The Cross and The Crusade

03. The Slaughter of Innocence

04. Carchachouna

05. Death & Submission (Requiem Aeternam)
06. A Coming Storm
07. Fields of Toulouse
08. The End of a Reign
09. The Conflict of Toulouse
10. Court Music
11. Crusher of Souls
12. Als Catars

Label: Self Release
Reviewed by: Reinier de Vries
Date: 8 January, 2011
Website: www.myspace.com/lemuriascrypt