LAKE OF TEARS - The Neonai
October 25, 2002, 22 years ago
(Black Mark)
Back from the dead, the Swedes issue their first platter since '99's Forever Autumn, which was widely reported to be the chameleons' swansong. Although the band began life as a straight-forward doom project, nearly a decade ago, Lake Of Tears morphed into an amorphous entity, dabbling in trippy psychedelia and goth overtones. It would appear the band spent the entire artwork budget on Kristian Wahlin's colourful, fold-out cover, as the CD booklet is simply coloured pages with lyrics printed in a boring 12 pt. font! Generally depressive, with an occasional female backing vocal (although lead on 'Sorcerers'), the piano-led, acoustic and/or minimalistic moments recall Tiamat, circa Clouds and Wildhoney. The upbeat tunes retain danceable goth tinges, yet remain firmly entrenched in a metal context. Only the experimental atonality of 'Down The Nile' fails to excite. The disc ends with a somber, instrumental collage. Somewhat unsettling, it switches between several different melodies used elsewhere by Lake Of Tears. Don't really know if the band will continue, or only exists as a periodic recording project; regardless, their work is an intriguing addition to any collection.
