Label-defying, genre-mashing Metal band Lake Of Tears have been quiet since “Illwill” way back in 2011 – but then 9 albums over a period of almost 30 years isn’t the most hastened of workloads. But in that time over those 9 albums Lake of Tears have given fans of so many Metal genres pleasure that Dark Metal is about as much of a tag as you can put on them – but even that ambiguous description is sorely lacking. Yet at the forefront the unique vocals, guitar and songwriting talents of Daniel Brennare have always emphatically resounded, and after taking time out to concentrate on other matters he has resurrected the Lake Of Tears brand and its signature sound for a new journey of atmospheric gloominess.
Now that Lake Of Tears are pretty much a Daniel Brennare solo act, where does this sit in the annals of past LOT releases? Well, there’s hints of their early doom days, and they still possess echoes of the psychedelic attitude of “A Crimson Cosmos”, but the gothic-tinged mellow outpourings of “Forever Autumn” are plenty in evidence. The dark, slow brooding heaviness of “Black Brick Road” and “Moons and Mushrooms” also rears its malevolent head, taking with it hints of 70’s space rock and Pink Floyd into the gloom of “Illwill”, meaning despite the 10 year gap, it is indeed a viable follow-up to its predecessor. It is certainly dark, it’s definitely gloomy, definitely atmospheric and undeniably Lake Of Tears.
No song on “Ominous” is predictable. Some tracks amble away, moodily for their entirety, others explode into sudden heaviness before dwindling into melancholy once more – it’s all about painting a soundscape with Lake Of Tears rather than structure or predictability – it always has been – the songs last just as long as they are supposed to. Simple guitar lines intertwine easily with laid back, groovy rhythms. There’s some wonderful touches of violin/cello to enhance the mood on some tracks and crowning them all, that instantly recognisable, relaxed vocal delivery. If you are new to Lake Of Tears, don’t expect instant gratification, memorable choruses or to be bombarded with choppy intricacies. Instead, prepare yourself for an album that just does its thing, in its own inimitable way, building and subsiding, crawling into your psyche and drawing you steadily in. Lake of Tears are back…and it is genuinely like they’ve never been away.
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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