Lalu - Oniric Metal


Year of Release: 2005
Label: Lion Music
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 57:52:00

Aside from an apparently bizarre moniker and an even more weird album title, the Oniric Metal of unknown Lalu has caught my attention since the first listening. In fact, after a quick search, I found out that the leader of this project is the gifted French keyboardist named Vivien Lalu, already a composer for the relatively unfamiliar, yet very talented Hubi Meisel. But let's return to the album, which starts in the best way possible with "Yesterdayman," a great prog metal song with intricate rhythmic passages but also with a polished and really easy to remember melodic combination (bridge and chorus). We couldn't ask for a better opening and it's a fortunate that the enthusiasm doesn't evaporate with the next few songs. Better yet, as the rarefied atmospheres of "Wolven Eyes" and the gothic assault of "Night In Poenari" clearly confirm the validity of a record that is maybe not so innovative from a songwriting point of view, but is really fascinating whatsoever. Please note that an important role in this positive reception is played by the great musicians that Vivien has taken by his side. In fact, both Joop Walters on guitar and Russell Bergquist (ex-Annihilator) on bass look very impressive, while I raise a little uncertainty on the vocals. But these are insignificant details, which will be probably rectified on the next opus, where we will find Virgil Donati and Gary Wehrkamp as guests, too. Can't wait to hear it!


Tracklisting:
Yesterdayman / Wolven Eyes / Windy / Night In Poenari / Moonstruck (The Soulish Element) / Timestop / Starwatcher / Potboy: The Final Fantasy

Musicians:
Vivien Lalu - keys
Ryan Van Poederooyen - drums
Russell Bergquist - bass
Joop Wolter - guitars
Martin LeMar - vocals

Lars Mattsson - guitar solo (2)
Alex Argento - key solo (6)

Discography:
Oniric Metal (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin FR

Added: November 29th 2005
Reviewer: Igor Italiani

Artist website: www.lalusworld.com
Hits: 2951
Language: english

  

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