Metalcatto
Well, here we go again. We’ve actually got another band that was in Eurovision. Lord of the Lost is a kind of Gothic Metal act that caters to the edgy kids who never quite moved past harsh vocals in their Metal journey. So, you might be wondering—am I just covering Opus Noir Vol. 1 to vent my deeply rooted intolerance for the mainstream world? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to be fair.
So is Vol. 1 butt Rock? Yes and no. In a way, it’s heavier than what the band has offered before, but it’s also so safe and polished that it made me wonder if Metal still needs that grimy, disgusting edge to truly earn the label. The music here doesn’t sound bad—it’s not even cringey—but the impression it leaves is thin, diluted by how firmly it sticks to a Pop/Rock formula. Think of it like whisky with too much ice: smooth, but you’re barely getting what you came for.
I will say this—Lord of the Lost has a lot of friends. A surprising number of big names make guest appearances on this album, and that’s definitely one of its strengths. You get a good amount of vocal variety, even if the rest of the music feels like it’s running on autopilot. This is the equivalent of a comforting McDonald’s meal—satisfying in the moment, but ultimately offering little substance. Vol. 1 comes and goes without much pain or joy. It didn’t offend me, but it didn’t impress me either. And wow, I haven’t even reached the “negative paragraph” yet!
That said, I’m not going to tear the band apart. It’s not like Vol. 1 is unbearable or socially damaging. It’s just unremarkable. It sticks closely to well-worn ideas with minimal risk. Despite everyone’s best effort, the songwriting feels dull. I honestly can’t recall much of it—even while listening to it again as I wrote this review. I can’t even compare it to one specific band, because every riff sounds like something I’ve already heard. I’m not angry—just bored.
It’s hard to know if any of you die-hard Metalheads will find something to enjoy here. My guess? You probably won’t hate it—because that would imply the album made you feel something. But if you ever need something inoffensive in the background during a meeting with non-Metal friends and don’t want to be ostracized for your weird taste, this might be your safest bet. And before you tell me you should always be yourself around others—remember, those work events also require a carefully maintained mask of sanity.
Label: Napalm Records
Release date: August 8, 2025
Website: https://ursawrath.bandcamp.com/album/emergence
Country: Germany
Score: 2.0/5.0
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