Loviatar - Lightless

A deeply intricate and sonically fascinating record, Lightless is the sophomore offering from Loviatar a doomy Canadian post-metal band. Their gorgeous soundscapes and top flight production make for some truly compelling listening and routinely prove that the band is more than the sum of its parts. This is a project that comes together elegantly and consistently shows me that Lightless demands multiple listens. It's a thoughtful record that digs into themes of solipsism and the human condition, forcing us to reflect on our own realities.

Th intricacy of the songwriting, the breadth of the parts and the sheer quantity of riffs makes for a dense listen. The songs are fairly long, with the epic closer, 'Lightless' checking in at around ten and a half minutes long. I'm especially into the vocals which often come across in that semi-shouted Mastodon style.  They are powerful and exciting, propelling the band forward even when the music seems to be holding back a little. Lightless guides the listener down a wonderfully dark path and revels in its introspective nature. There is a certain poetry to what Lightless is doing that helps to make it a truly special offering.

Lightless brings a lot to the table, I think that Loviatar might not be quite at their potential peak, but this record sees them getting close. There is a lot of emotional depth on display here and it's a record that rewards attentive listening. I love the darkness of the emotions within and their forward thinking ambitions. I think that this band has the potential to be truly special, and as is, Lightless proves that Loviatar have a clear vision and one that, if it's built upon, could bring in whole new worlds of doom metal.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/loviatardoommetal/