While they may be labeled as “Alternative Metal” in some of their more recent bios, it’s kind of doing Germany’s LANTLOS a grave disservice to not throw “Prog” in the mix as well after hearing their fifth full-length, Wildhund, due out soon through Prophecy Productions. If you want to do right by LANTLOS then consider them this band out of time that meshes Prog and Nu-Metal much the way underdogs like Pulse Ultra and The Apex Theory did in the mid-aught’s, occasionally dips into the deep Post-Punk well that Course Of Empire lurked in while also mixing it up with heavy hitting contemporaries like Four Stroke Baron with the Pop sensibilities of Foo Fighters. Get it? Great!
But I digress.
On their aforementioned fifth, LANTLOS knock it out of the park with twelve tantalizing tracks that transcend genres to bring listeners one of the most solid listening experiences they’ll have all year. “Lake Fantasy” is a monster opener, immediately introducing listeners to this luscious sonic world filled with driving guitars, pointed syth attacks, reverberating low ends, and piledriving drum performances that resonate the moment the track kicks everything off. Add a vocalist (And multi-instrumentalist having handled guitars, bass, and synthesizers on Wildhund) in Markus Siegenhort who rises above with a vibrant voice that’s commanding, compelling, and cathartic and the writing’s on the wall for one solid late summer sonic scorcher.
“Magnolia” keeps the momentum energized with poignant and potent Prog for a beautiful anthem with layers upon layers echoing some Yes-like moments or The Moody Blues even. “Cocoon Tree House” is filled with masterful Felix Wylezik drumming and broad vocal passages from Siegenhort while “Home” rumbles and rolls with Siegenhort’s voluminous guitar tones bouncing nicely off Wylezik’s drums to set a soundscape akin to recent Hum offerings.
“Vertigo” is built from vibrant guitar lines and an impenetrable wall of sound that’s almost as strong as the passionate performance from Siegenhort’s vox, “The Bubble” is an intricate tale displaying LANTLOS’ immense songwriting prowess, and “Amber” is all gnarly tones and chords pulsating towards these furiously frenetic breakdowns. “Dog In The Wild” is certifiably controlled chaos with a static guitar line, hyperactive drums, and Siegenhort’s vocals careening towards the heavens which coincidentally lead into the heavenly “Lich” which is an unfiltered beast that also serves as this final grand blast of aural awesome to round out one killer record!
Wildhund arrives through Prophecy Production on July 30th. Pre-order yours now by heading here. For the very latest on Lantlos, follow the socials via the interwebs and click here or here.