Lion’s Daughter, The: Future Cult

Future Cult is an extended meditation on what could happen if all of humanity’s destructive impulses led to catastrophe and devastation. It’s like imagining a movie without a hero and all the evil plans go into motion, leaving cities to burn and people to die. You might not think an album can be that bleak, but The Lion’s Daughter wants to try to convince you. Even though I think they generally succeed, I think the cover art deserves most of the credit. The image, a photograph by Mothmeister, shows a dog’s body (after taxidermy) being held by a person in an identity losing outfit. Somebody call Norman Bates because this is definitely a taxidermy project he’d want to see. I found the image as bleak as anything on this album. I also checked out other works by Mothmeister and found it just as dark.

The music is no less dark and bleak. The band basically performs a noisy version of sludge metal that adds in synthesizers to remind listeners of old-school horror and science fiction soundtracks. Those elements give the band an edge because they are always catchy and interesting, especially to this die-hard John Carpenter fan. The more extreme metal aspect of the band is more invested in a despairing sound that combines sludge, doom, and death metal. Rick Giordano’s vocals are unrelenting and form a good contrast with the peppy synthesizers. His guitar playing is even better than his vocals because he balances strong, melodic, leads with the harsher chords. Joining him are Scott Fogelbach (bass) and Erik Ramsier (drums). I’m not sure who plays the synth but it’s that instrument that really gives this band its edge. I suggest checking out “Die Into Us� or “The Gown.� I also liked “Galaxy Ripper,� but that was mostly because it reminded me of a really old Star Trek episode where Kirk and the crew take on Jack the Ripper.

Track Listing:
1. Future Cult
2. Call of the Midnight Animal
3. Die Into Us
4. Suicide Market
5. The Gown
6. Grease Infant
7. Galaxy Ripper
8. Tragedy
9. Girl Autopsy
10. In the Flesh

Added: August 4th 2018
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 931
Language: english

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