Lycia is
a cult darkwave act that has been around since 1988, providing
several generations of fans with a sonic tapestry of somber reflection
and hushed introspection. Consisting of Mike VanPortfleet (guitars,
vocals, drum & synth programs), David Galas (bass, drum &
synth programs, audio engineering) and Tara Vanflower (vocals),
the trio have now released several albums with ‘Cold’
being their most fully realized and popular release. The cheery
chaps at Silber Records are in the process of re-releasing the
five Lycia studio albums, and ‘Cold’ is the third
in the installment.
The inspiration
to both the lyrics and overall sound of Cold was the band’s
move from the desert landscape of Phoenix, Arizona, to the snow
covered landscape of northern Ohio. The bleak, oppressive permafrost
that greeted them seeped deep into their musical cerebral, leading
to a sound that was more frigid, atmospheric, sparse and crystalline
than on previous releases. The album commences with the 8minute
epic, ‘Frozen’, a track with a droning yet captivatingly
buoyant synth melody combined with razor sharp, thumping drums
(straight out of the 80’s super-group pop rock manual).
The band utilise these elements to engage the listener into a
dark and entrancing lull which sounds like a hushed, pop-orientated
My Dying Bride circa ‘Like Gods of the Sun’. VanPortfleet’s
whispered and effect-heavy vocals add an emotionally fragile touch
whilst the re-mastering work really shows its worth, thanks to
the wide and open soundstage.
A similar
formula of sharp percussion and atmospheric soundscapes continues
forward into the follow-up track, ‘Bare’, although
this time we are treated to the angelic vocals of Tara Vanflower.
Effect-laden guitars and driven bass create a warm and inviting
atmosphere, whilst the arrangement and combination of male/female
vocals add the finishing touch to a rather epic and emotional
piece. ‘Baltica’ continues Lycia’s vision of
grandeur by creating a sweeping and ethereal soundscape to the
interplay of giant oceanic currents. Swirls of guitar, synth and
bass combine and synergise over a playful yet forceful landscape
of percussion whilst Vanflower’s soothing angelic hums drape
over the whole-thing to bring it to life. ‘Snowdrop’
is a slower-paced, otherworldly lullaby littered with swirling
and disorientating guitars and synthwork which expand and blossom
across your speakers. The result is a soundscape which comes across
as a portal to a light-filled netherworld.
On ‘December’,
Lycia lull the listener into a false sense of security with a
minute or so of calm and serene beauty before (unhurriedly) bursting-forward
with deep and ominous melodies which are fused with pounding percussion
and ghostly vocals, which them self sound like an instrumental
layer.
The album
contains vast, slowly drifting plains of sonic-debris which has
had space-rockers and shoegazer’s expanding their minds,
whilst the dark melodies and moody textures has made this a cult
goth-rock album. The re-mastering work has added extra depth and
dimension to the sound as the booming bass and crystal clear percussion
demands the listener’s attention whilst the vocals are clear
yet mixed in to the soundscape like another instrument. This release
comes highly recommended to anyone who missed it first-time round.
(RM)
For
fans of: My Dying Bride, Collide, Dead Can Dance, Love Spirals
Downwards
Click
to buy Cold
Write
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