Buil2kill Records (2011)

“Farewell To Graveland” is a solo project from Martyr Lucifer, most well-known for his work in Hortus Animae and Space Mirrors. Gaining the services of Adrian Erlandsson of Paradise Lost on 5 of the 10 main tracks for drums, ex-Nocturnal Mortum bassist Vrolok, as well as two Hortus Animae bandmates with Bless on keyboards and Grom handling the other 5 drum tracks, the material is more of a dark rock/gothic metal fusion, bringing to mind Nightingale meets Fields of the Nephilim along with left field Tiamat strains.

The contrasts between the gothic clean strains for the verses against the noisier, aggressive chorus work for “Noctua Munda” resemble the ups and down that occur in a mountain climb- Martyr’s voice more of a plaintive persistent moan that provides poetic visions as paintings. Arke handles the guitar responsibilities admirably- often dancing around the computer programming and keyboard aspects with vigor to remind the listeners that there’s plenty of metal going on through your sound system on “Anironauta(the Demon of the Earth)” as well as the magical 10:10 “The Horseride” where some of the strumming shifts between alternative/gothic lines and occasional black metal inspiration.

Martyr Lucifer can gain fringe appeal inside and outside the metal borders. People looking for a mental release could enjoy “Farewell To Graveland”. I’ll state for my tastes it’s not something that would maintain daily exposure, but that doesn’t mean this has no merit. Stretch your imagination- this album tests you in ways you haven’t been tested before, which all good dark, left of center works should.

www.martyrlucifer.net
www.buil2kill.com

Rating: 4 / 6

Composed by Matt Coe