Cast your mind back two years to a little demo that surfaced by a four-piece from Oakland. We talked about it (albeit badly, I was terrible at this whole writing thing back then – no sassy comments please) then, and we included it on our “Top 6 Demos” of 2011 because it was absolutely incredible. DEMO 2011 was three tracks of pure, unadulterated anguish and we’ve been waiting for Lycus to throw a full length out into world ever since. It’s been a long, long wait but holy crap, it was worth it.
Tempest takes the raw spirit from that early demo and moulds it into something altogether more beautiful and destructive. The three new tracks here are more profound and mature compositions, and to hear the curve into new soundscapes is as exciting as it is terrifyingly heavy. Lycus have on their hands a record of truly magnificent stature, and their first full length is quite the achievement.
Artwork by Paolo Girardi.
“Coma Burn” begins Tempest on waves of sweetly sorrowful guitar and already the jump from the demo is starkly apparent in the layers of sound that weave together slow, processional lines of guitar and a minimal drum beat that intertwines with deep, rough vocals and adds to the oppressive atmosphere. Drummer Trevor Deschryver takes control of the rasps whilst guitarist Jackson handles the doomed, bottomless lows, and when rolled around each other “Coma Burn” twists into a fantastically morose and funereal chant. An element of grief feeds into the occasional off-kilter inflection of strings and a feeling of complete hopelessness breathes despondent life into the closing minutes of this first song.
Mournful melodies whisper into “Engravings” with an almost apathetic movement, and the song takes shape around the occasional sombre yet soaring guitar line that allows the song to be lifted above constant depression. New landscapes of tone sweep into the fray in shades of faster action, and a heady scream punctuates the momentum before Lycus step back into the colossal realms of doom that they inhabit so well. The title track closes Tempest on a new notes of genuine fury with vocal lines (Daniel – also on bass) that call to mind a black metal aesthetic in their delivery, and although the deep current of relatable agony brims to the surface of the song, Lycus never allow that emotion to run freely or become out of control. “Tempest” soon returns to a majestic funeral doom style that allows Jackson’s woe-filled vocal to take center stage and the absolute and total sadness that wells up from the cavernous pits of despair fill the heart with a tangible misery. Lycus know how to render the heart to infinite dust and “Tempest” writhes with an anger that stems from utter helplessness and is made evident by the sorrow heard in the climbing shades of darkness. “Tempest” closes on almost five minutes of bleak and exposed electronic sweeps from Sutekh Hexen’s Kevin Gan Yuen and Andy Way (Kevin also formulated the layout for the Tempest LP) and the feelings of desolation that are carried by these waves of consuming noise are absorbing and exhausting.
Check outlive footage of “Engravings” below. The vocal is a little quiet but the song is great so press play already.
Tempest is a grand and stately work, and Lycus, despite being a very young band, have constructed a debut LP that’s rich and full of effortless wonder and the dignified restraint to be found on the record belies the band’s youth at every turn. Tempest will stay with you for long after the final sounds subside. Give in to the heartache.
Tempest will be released by 20 Buck Spin on July 9th with the vinyl to follow soon after.
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