November 14th will see the end of a two year hibernation from Lamp of Murmuur with M’s new album “The Dreaming Prince in Extacy”.
Lamp of Murmuur is one of my favorite current USBM bands with the “Burning Spears of Crimson Agony” and “Submission and Slavery” as true genre highlights. Both bearing a uniquely savage yet riveting, and quite frankly sexually charged, take on BM. The former being Goth tinged (reminiscent of Sisters of Mercy-I mean look at the cover) and the latter a more pure expression of BM.
Sole musician M is a prolific entity having several of his own projects and lending his talent to other solo artists for live performances. Earlier this year he released an album of Epic BM under the banner Magus Lord that was reminiscent of greats like Caladan Brood. Here he returns to a signature BM sound that is a fusion of previous output. The catharsis of “Submission…” and the fury of “Seven spears… and Saturnuan Bloodstorm” are weaved together to unveil a new synergistic opus. Fervent and Maniacal yet Elegant and Romantic the songs weave powerful images and stimulate the mind.
Upon reading the following description “… a narrative that reaches beyond dreams, exploring instead the unyielding pursuit of absolute spiritual liberation through sacrifice, manifesting the will of the Seven Spears…” we know we are in for a full on sensory journey. Indeed I hear a strong sense of yearning in the music. As the title suggests there is a certain dreamlike quality to the album, one that is reminiscent of the teetering moments before realizing you are dreaming. Is this a pleasant dream? A nightmare? Maybe a mixture of the two…
The “Dreaming Prince in Extacy” starts with a short Synthy intro “The Fires of Seduction” before launching into lead single “Forest of Hallucinations”. This song starts with the same riff from the intro now in its final form, flourishing mid-paced BM. Keys are towards the front of the mix while the vocals sit among the instrumentals further back. They are gnarled and gurgled, abrasive yet soothing and occasionally easy to understand. M has employed the use of clean vocals throughout this song and the album as a whole. This gives a clean and soaring effect to the music that further ecentuates the majesty of the music.
Next, “Hategate (the Dream-masters Realm)” is a ripper of a track that starts simple then erupts into an expansive and dynamic song. Furious guitars, enchanting keys and the clean vocals work in tandem to begin transportation to the dream world. “Reincarnation of a Witch” is more of the same albeit a little Thrashy, this one steps down into a part with clean guitars and climaxes with a Breathy solo.
This is followed by a clean interlude “Angelic Vortex” that is brief yet sets the tone for the albums namesake trilogy, “The Dreaming Prince in Extacy”.
A three part suite consisting of ‘Moondance’, ‘Twilight Orgasm’, and ‘The Fal’ these songs explore a Sensuous and Romantic manifestation of LoM. ‘Moondance’ is initially riff heavy yet sweeping and grand before transitioning to the next track. ‘Twilight Orgasm’ indulges in quasi psychedelic and circular riffing. While ‘The Fal’ marries the two in a dazzling climax for the album. The triad ends with a long bright solo that leaves one feeling refreshed and inspired.
The album ends with another Synth heavy track “A Brute Angels Sorrow”. This outro incorporates clean and acoustic guitars as well as clean vocals. Altogether this final song feels like waking from a dream heavy sleep with the memories of a nocturnal visions quickly fading to obscurity.
Having just finished a tour with Blackbraid M is returning to the shadows for an unknown amount of time. Hopefully a headlining tour is in the works. Ultimately “Dreaming Prince in Extacy” is one of my favorite albums of the year and of the project itself. Newcomers to Lamp would do well to start here and old fans will find lots to enjoy. Physical copies can be purchased from Wolves of Hades tomorrow (November 11th) along with new merch.
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