It's taken them six years, but Belgium's Lemuria are finally back with their follow-up to Tales, Ale & Fire, this one called Chanson de la Croisade. Though their Pagan infused black metal style is still intact, there's a much larger symphonic element happening here, which will instantly draw comparisons to bands such as Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, and Bal-Sagoth.
Many of the folk elements from their debut have been pushed aside for the more metallic & symphonic attack that you will hear all throughout this adventurous concept album. It's all pretty epic and impressive, starting with the dramatic "The Cross and the Crusade", and the equally marvelous "The Slaughter of Innocence", which features some great growls and a commanding guitar & keyboard presence. There are some short keyboard laced interludes throughout the CD, but the main tracks, such as "Death & Submission (Requiem Aeternam)", "A Coming Storm", "The End of a Reign", and the massive "Crusher of Souls" are all standounts and perfect examples of well thought out symphonic black metal. The growled vocals are well done, and easily understood, which is something you don't normally hear these days. Rhythms are often fast paced and tight, but the real key to the entire album are the effective guitar riffs and dramatic use of orchestral keyboards. There's just an epic & majestic feel to Chanson de la Croisade that you can't help but fall in love with, but worry not, this thing is damn heavy too.
Again, another winner from 2010 from got to us a bit too late, but as I always say, better late than never. Lemuria have created quite a gem here with Chanson de la Croisade, and I'm going to predict big things for this band from Belgium in the near future.
Track Listing
01. Orritania, Anno 1209
02. The Cross and The Crusade
03. The Slaughter of Innocence
04. Carchachouna
05. Death & Submission (Requiem Aeternam)
06. A Coming Storm
07. Fields of Toulouse
08. The End of a Reign
09. The Conflict of Toulouse
10. Court Music
11. Crusher of Souls
12. Als Catars
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