Record label trust and dependability is a cool thing. It was the catalyst behind the timeline-centric analysis on the Willowtip Files, and there remain many standout labels at the forefront of the current metal scene. Transcending Obscurity’s rise amongst the underground metal label ranks has been rapid, swelling in recent years as they house an increasingly powerful staple of killer bands, with the quality factor generally of a high standard across a packed roster of talented and unique artists. Taking around a decade from band conception to debut LP release, California’s The Last of Lucy have built underground momentum and refined their sound, arriving at their third LP, and second for Transcending Obscurity, entitled Godform. Aside from taste testing some of their previous work, in particular 2022’s Moksha, I largely divulge in this latest endeavor with fresh ears. Residing in the crowded, head-spinning realms of modern technical and brutal death, how does The Last of Lucy fare?
Like many of their modern tech-death peers, The Last of Lucy boast a similarly pristine sonic make-up. Death metal purists in the game for knuckle-dragging, filth-riddled fun will no doubt be flipping the bird to these fleet-fingered tech heads, who in contrast prefer their deathly poison adorned with slick, polished tones and in-your-face production, dispensing with breathing room and dynamics for obnoxious aural beatdowns. The Last of Lucy speckle their frenetic technical death metal formula with deathcore attitude and bombast, brutal uppercuts, and experimental excursions into introspective spacey excursions and jazzy noodling to break up the relentlessness of the bulk of the material comprising the album’s lean 32 minutes. The tight, propulsive, and complex musicianship is on point and clinically executed, spiking the techy punch with genuinely heavy grooves and breakdowns, wall of sound blasts, and speed aplenty.
Godform is a dense, knotty affair, not shy of deviating from traditional song structure or embracing a bombastic, atmospheric edge to complement the predominantly fast, aggressive attack on the senses. “Wormhole” wastes no time smacking the listener upside the cranium with its blistering attack, damaging grooves, and aggro vocal mix. The song serves its role as a meaty, energetic opening statement, featuring brief flashes of their softer touches. “Twin Flame” maximizes heaviness through a pummeling, stuttering crunch, before transitioning into a mellow break with clean vocal melodies and smooth, jazzy inflections. The contrast is jarring at times, but it makes for an intriguing listen. These contrasting softer sections are scattered across the album, offering a mostly interesting counterpoint to the heavier material. Certain songs dispense of the prettier atmospheric breaks in favor of furnace-blasting ferocity and in-your-face thuggery, tapping into melodeath influence through a brutal, technical lens on “Darkest Night of the Soul.” The Last of Lucy generally harness their songwriting into tight, short capsules, packing ample ideas into more concise, heavier cuts like the twisting dynamics and heaving stomp of “Shedim Seance.” Later album nuggets such as the closing title track, exhibit their bombastic impulses and spacey melodic breaks, with solid effect.
Underneath the technical flash and songwriting ambitiousness, does Godform result in an album to get your tech noodle flailing? Amidst the pile-driving grooves, the band’s frenetic percussive assault, intricate guitar work and need for speed creates a frantically intense experience. Unfortunately run of the mill moments and bleeding between songs diminishes the album’s more appealing elements and handful of solid cuts. Monotony creeps in, with much of the material blazing over without leaving a lasting impression. The fat, crushing grooves and deathcore style breakdowns pack a punch in the heaviness department, but several sound fairly stock and generic. Another damaging factor is the overly clean, clinical production and crushed, ear-fatiguing mastering job. It’s loud as shit and even across the album’s lean runtime, proves taxing on your earholes.
Godform offers plenty for like-minded tech death fans to get on board with, such as listeners that favor acts like The Faceless, Inferi and Archspire, and are not opposed to deathcore influences. There is no doubting the talents on display, and the experimental flourishes are intriguing and technical prowess impressive. However, songwriting potency remains fleeting, and when the whole firestorm subsides, lasting substance is questionable. The moments of faceless brutality and ear-smashing sound leaves a hollow final feeling, overshadowing the positive elements on display.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 4 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Transcending Obscurity Records
Websites: facebook.com/thelastoflucyofficial | thelastoflucyband.bandcamp.com/music
Releases Worldwide: May 17th, 2024
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