Over the last two albums, Lost Society’s sound has started to evolve, and on “Hell Is A State Of Mind”, that evolution has come to fruition in the form of the ten tracks on here; is it different? Yes, is it what you expected? No, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite; it takes a few listens to get what’s actually going on, but when you do finally get it, you will love it.
The album opens with “Afterlife”, a spoken intro leads to a big riff with and slow deliberate drum beat as Elbanna comes in with rap style vocals for the verse but reverts to his usual style as the chorus hits, there is a quirky high pitched riff that runs through this and plays nicely off the heavy guitar riff and bass line, a great way to usher in a new beginning. “
Blood Diamond” introduces an orchestral element to it and while it takes you by surprise initially it works really well with the heaviness of the track, Elbanna’s vocals are in keeping with his usual fare, the guitar work is savage and the play off between Elbanna and Lesonen is class and with Lehtinen, bass, and Fagerstrom, drums, laying the down a heavy low end you have a monster of a track. “Synthetic” throws it down with a thumping bass line mixed with a dollop of electro and cutting riffs; the drum beat is insane, backing up Lehtinen’s bass that drives this one. Believe me, this one will be stuck in your head after a couple of listens, a new style but with the same devastating effect. “Is This What You Wanted” strips things back as the band go for a power ballad style number, after a slow, soft opening verse that band explodes into life at the chorus in a crescendo that also has the orchestra backing them up, their song twos and fros like this for the duration, closing with a dramatic stop.
“L’appel Du Vide” opens with downtuned guitars and bass to accentuate the track’s heaviness, which is further enhanced by the orchestra’s string section. The grinding riffs and thunderous low end are phenomenal as is the ripper solo while Elbanna’s vocals are in a class of their own, this is one of the best tracks on the album. “Kill The LIght” opens with a softly strummed acoustic guitar before that is blown to bits by a monster electric riff and booming drum and bass combo, Elbanna goes full M. Shadows on this one and to be fair the track would not be a miss on an Avenged Sevenfold album, it has that feel, which in my books is a plus, once again they use the orchestra to full effect with haunt chants, pounding percussion and string sections, a real gem and contender for track of the album. “No Longer Human” opens with a crunching riff and heavy drum beat before dropping into a relatively calm soundscape with Elbanna crooning away and even when the chorus goes off he keeps it on an even keel, the guitars are immense on this one with heavy distorted riffs playing off one another before making way for a killer solo, the symphonic elements that are interspersed throughout add a nice touch to an already great track.
“Dead People Scare Me(But The Living Make Me Sick)”, a title that rings through for many people, this has all hallmarks of horror metal, a lá the originator Alice Copper, but with a heavier twist and a kicking rhythm, Elbanna snarls throughout this to the backdrop of pounding drums, thumping bass and gnarly riffs, a cross between groove, horror and thrash metal, this rocks big time. “Personal Judas” is probably the heaviest track on the album, punching you squarely in the face. This is all the things you love about Lost Society and why, is has killer riffs, a booming bass line, blistering drums and a ripper solo all to the tune of Elbanna’s savage vocals, possibly the best track on the album. The album closes with the title track “Hell Is a State Of Mind”, pushing his vocals to the limit Elbanna screams and roars his way through the opening in rap fashion as the machine gun drumming tears you apart while the orchestra helps to ramp up the atmosphere, when the chorus’ hit Elbanna draws breath and goes for a soft vocal approach before unleashing his inner demon again, a great way to finish off with the distorted scream interrupting the peace as it closes quietly.
“Hell Is A State Of Mind” is out on the 6th of March via Nuclear Blast Records, and while it will upset a few, there will be many more who will, like me, love it.
Review: Conor
Lost Society are:
Samy Elbanna Vocals, lead, rhythm guitar
Arttu Lesonen Lead, rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Mirko Lehtinen Bass, backing vocals
Taz Fagerstrom Drums
www.instargram.com/lostsocietyfi
