Review Summary: An engaging new EP from this young Italian group of Swedolic embracing metalheads. Fans of Be'lakor, Sentenced, and Ceremonial Oath need apply.
I’m just going to skip my normal introduction this time because I’m fresh out of ideas for kicking off this review with a bang. So I’ll just state that Lahmia is a melodic death metal band from Italy. The band formed in 2001 playing a style comparable to mid to late period Sentenced. They integrated rich baritone vocals akin to Vili Laihalla with dark, atmospheric keyboards and mellow guitar lines. But after they released their debut “An Eternal Memory” in 2007, Lahmia quickly shifted gears and opted for a face reconstructive surgery. 2008 finds the band active in the music scene once more delivering a five song EP in “Forget Every Sunrise”.
The band retains some of their gothic traits while embracing a new stylistic shift in Swedish melodic death metal. I’ll be the first to point out that Swedish melodic death metal has been played out and sapped of all its original glory. But I’ll be dammed if these Italians don’t make a strong case for revitalizing the movement to its once proud self. This five song E.P perfectly captures the original melodic death spirit with a snapping rhythm section, blistering solos, and impeccable songwriting skills capable of pulling this band out into the open given a year or two tops. I don’t know what motivated the band to become this good but I’m happy to inform this is one of the best EP’s that I’ve heard in some time.
If you consider yourself a fan of Be’Lakor, Ceremonial Oath, Sentenced, and/or early In Flames then this is for you. Flavio Gianello and Samuele Piacenti boast incredible skill in crafting some of the catchiest riffs in metal while retaining a healthy dose of melody and heaviness. The duo employ a moderately heavy riffing approach with the occasional Amon Amarth chug popping in from time to time. Solos are prominent and soar like majestic eagles crossing the Rhine. The sparse appearances from the acoustic guitar helps illuminate the rich musical back drop of Lahmia even more, incorporating a folky, dark metal element to the aggressive tempos. The drumming position is filled in by Fabio Cesarini and the “I feel the need, The need for speed” status quo is put into full effect as he blasts and kicks away with deadly speed and precision. Corrando Ciaggia’s bass work is loud, but not too loud, and very efficient. Very much like Iron Maiden and such early melodic death metal bands, Corrando finger taps his way emulating Steve Harris while following the guitars with relative ease. My only concern with the band would be the vocals courtesy of Francesco. By all means, the vocals are not terrible but at times sound a little dry. His guttural vocals are excellent and reminiscent of Be’Lakor’s debut record. Francesco’s baritone clean singing evokes feelings of gothic rock era Sentenced with a little bit of U.K doom thrown in for good measure.
I guess the only real disappointment I found on this E.P would be that it’s an E.P and not a full length. I ate up these five songs rather quickly so I’m hoping for a new album in 2009/ 2010 at tops. Some might write off these guys as just another generic Swedolic death metal group but I find that the band stands quite well on it‘s own. It’s only a matter of time before Lahmia hones and perfects their craft for a full length offering to drop on the metal community. If you consider yourself a fan of any of the bands that I’ve namedropped in the previous paragraphs I would like to direct you to the bands myspace page. All five of the songs are currently available for streaming so get at it metalheads.
