Lalu - Oniric Metal
Multi-project-meister Vivien Lalu has finally initiated a work that encompasses within his own right of melodic progressive metal after composing material with Hubi Meisel among many other projects. I have to hand it to him, the record is fairly diverse, filled with many personalities that encompass the record's sound with different elements and influences copulated to create such as work.

Filled with keyboard perplexity balanced with guitar work that fits the mold that the songwriting builds upon, the songs themselves morph into more elaborate compositions rather than having highly drawn out compositions downgrading themselves into songs, for which Oniric Metal is able to create memorable ditties here and there, balancing out both the technical approaches for progressions sake and the occasional tinge of melodic AOR enhanced by the metallic vibe, kind of like crossing Millennium with Time Machine.

With songs such as "Yesterday Man," "Wolven Eyes," and "Moonstop" putting an emotional dark atmosphere at the forefront, it's the heaviness found within "Moonstruck" and the extended "Potboy: The Final Fantasy" that finds the more grinding edge, while "Star Watcher" sounds almost like a long-lost Porcupine Tree track with it's experimental tendencies.

The title features a peculiar word, Oniric, what does it mean? Apparently the word pertains to dreams, and that is sort of what the album encompasses, a dreamscape, where, when you think about it, it really is, and although it has it's heavy moments, the record goes without any jittery connotations, keeping the whole soundscape with smooth transition from track-to-track. So maybe Lalu has invented a new style of metal, I don't know.

Written by Hashman
Thursday, June 23, 2005
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Ratings

Hashman: 8/10

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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Jane (Anonymous) - Sunday, June 26, 2005
I am curious to learn more about a possible new type of metal. This album must be very different for all the others. What is so different? Is it different instruments used? Again, I have a feeling that maybe this is a new age sound combined with metal. Please elaborate.


Comment by DR (Anonymous) - Saturday, September 10, 2005
A promising idea that lacks in simple execution. The songs far too much going in the background with opera sections and whatnot, like a Therion record. The vocalist also has to go with the worst Daniel Gildenlow meets Geoff Tate impersonation I have ever heard in my life.


Comment by RD (Anonymous) - Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Hello "DR"
This is very funny what you wrote, because Martin LeMar don't know a crap about Pain of Salvation or "Daniel Gildenlow". Are you any *bored* fan of them? The kind of die hard fans who've only listened to POS in their life, and start to compare any progressive singer to Gildenlow when he's trying to sing quiet, or when you hear another singer get angry and shout, then you say "HEY, it's a Daniel Gildenlow impersonation" before you know if these guys actually knew/heard him.
Because you dare to say things like that, you should be sure that the people you are criticizing are actually fans of the artists you mention, or already heard them, because if not, they can't be trying to impersonate, in which case: your comments become bullshit.
I especially thought for myself that Daniel Gildenlow was the worst Mike Patton impersonation people have ever heard in their life? :-)
...
More seriously, you are born with a voice, you can't change it and I really think that Martin LeMar did a great job on Oniric Metal (I find his vocals very great). I would be curious to hear you in a studio, at his place, and check what you'd deliver on SUCH material...no really I was kidding, in fact I don't want to hear such a thing.
Cheers....
Ps- And by the way, in the future, metal bands shouldn't use a dramatic gothic choir orchestra for any specific part of their music, even if it would make sense to them or their concept, because they would become a Therion impersonation --right away. Of course, because Therion invented choirs.....didn't you know???
By the way - there are choirs on POS "One Hour by the Concrate Lake". and many other ripoffs on POS' albums as well...(in your vocabulary, because in mine I'd better say "influences", that's more respectful, you should think about it next time)












Review by Hashman
None

Released by
Lion Music - 2005

Tracklisting
1- Yesterday Man
2- Wolven Eyes
3- Windy
4- Night in Poenari
5- Moonstruck
6- Moonstop
7- Star Watcher
8- Potboy: The Final Fantasy


Supplied by Lion Music


Style
The title beat me too it

Related links
Visit the band page

Lalu - Official Website

Other articles
Tommy Hash Speaks with Vivien Lalu - (Hashman)

Band Information - (Steen)



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