My love for Tech Death has certainly dwindled in the last year or so, I still love the genre but I don’t care about it like I once did. I’m basically far more critical of the genre now. However, this has had quite a nice effect, it has made me appreciate the more understated Tech acts, not everything has to be turned up to eleven all the time (but that is still sometimes quite nice).

Anyway on the notion of Tech it’s time to head to California and bask in the light of The Last Of Lucy, which is a band name that I’m sure has some meaning but is quite frankly one of the worst band names I’ve ever heard, more akin to an Emo band than a Tech Death act. However, let us not judge by name. This prolific band have been going since 2007 but didn’t drop a full length until 2017 with Ashvattha. An album which clearly did the world of good seeing as their second album 2022’s Moksha comes to us through Transcending Obscurity Records.

The title track instantly charges in with Technical prowess, with drummer Brandon Millan being a particular example of excellence. Vocally the album is driven in a somewhat Deathcore direction, however it really does suit the music and for once is actually a brilliant boon as oppose to something to be saddened by. There are notions of the symphonic dappled throughout the release too which are used to brilliant effect. It’s the kind of record that almost plays with themes rather than solely devoting itself to a single genre which is always nice. Take for example Agni, it has flourishes of Tech, Deathcore, Death Metal, Symphonic Death Metal, Prog and more, honestly unique without going overboard. Tracks like Ego Death are also a breath of fresh air, lots going on but equally short and to the point, proving that Prog/ Tech isn’t all about how obscenely long a song can be. Another brilliant example of this trait is Ritual Of Abraxas, which could actually stand to be one of the best songs on the album.

I think it’s safe to say that Moksha is one hell of a high energy album, Parasomnia only serving to keep the flame alive. It’s the musical equivalent to your legs hurting at a gig but not wanting to move in fear of losing your spot or any of the show (I know, how old do I sound?). By the time we reach Covenant I’m still feeling in the zone, in fact it’s a song with some fantastic guitar work. I’ve not heard Tech Death with this much vigour in a long time, it really feels full of life, modern but not tacky and certainly admirable.

So you might be asking, are there any negatives to Moksha? Well, putting my critical cap on for a moment I could say that it’s pretty one note or atonal and whilst this is kind of true it’s also short and sweet. As I have said it’s high energy, the track lengths and album length in general really help such an abrasive record shine. Heaviness can be measured in many ways but in terms of all out ferocity I have to hand it to The Last Of Lucy for producing a record so full of impact.

(8/10 George Caley)

https://www.facebook.com/thelastoflucyofficial

https://thelastoflucyband.bandcamp.com/album/moksha-technical-death-metal