EP Review: "To The Depths" by Lucis Absentia

To The Depths

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.

In 2016, nearly every great band name, in English anyway, has been taken. This blog has reviewed several bands that have had to add and addendum to their name, a suffix, or the definite article in order to legally differentiate themselves from the other roses in the garden.

Today's subject, Lucis Absentia, is formerly known as Gomorrah, but not that Gomorrah.

This is the first time I have reviewed an album by a band who used to use the same name as another band that I have also reviewed.

In the end, bands are like roses in a garden. What sets them apart from the other flowers swaying in the breezes isn't how cool their name is, but how they make their consumers feel.

Lucis Absentia feels familiar and new all at the same time.

Dare we say that they are creating a new sub-genre of music?

Perhaps they are the leaders of the groove-techni-melo-choly metal?

What first came to mind is that Lucis Absentia has a Morbid Angel mindset, with a Dimebag Darrell philosophy under the teachings of Yngwie Malmsteen.

At no point does To The Depths sound anything like Lucis Absentia.

Nowhere I could I point out that this is the Trey Azagoth section of the material or here's where they're aping Malmsteen.

There are times when the Dimebag influence is palpable, but in feel rather than licks. The same could be said regarding Malmsteen as well. The sweep picked solos tend to stand out.

There are plenty of solos, but the straight up shreds are kept to a minimum which makes them delivery maximum impact.

Lucis Absentia is a new band that's already found their niche and their groove. Their debut is a long EP or a short LP as it comes in at 1.1 Reign In Bloods, and it will leave you wanting more.

Release: 6/10/16
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Static Tension Recordings
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