From the very beginning of the intro track (“Sanguis Vitam Est”) you know that you’re back in Vesperian Sorrow territory. For those of you who haven’t listened to this band yet (and why the hell not?), they play what they call “Symphonic Dark Metal”. It would be easy to compare them to bands like Dimmu Borgir, but (for me at least) VS is the better band. Throughout this album, you’re surrounded by fairly complex song structures that keep you on your toes. The drums act as a superb driving force behind each track and are performed spectacularly. Donn Donni’s instantly recognisable vocals tear through the mix, and the guitars and keyboards often have an orchestral feel to them. As with previous Vesperian Sorrow albums, there’s a lot going on here! The songs on this album are not ‘just tracks’, they’re compositions – exquisite pieces of music.

The album also features guest appearances from Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys/Watchtower/Broken Teeth), Erika Tandy (Autumn Tears/Ignitor), Carl August Tidemann (Winds/Arcturus) and Jon Zig (Sarcolytic/Images of Violence). I have to admit that aside from recognising a couple of band names, I’m not really familiar with these guests… but, the music is astounding and that’s the main thing!

The album itself feels like a more complete work than previous albums. Every track is placed in its optimum place to enable the band to take you through their elaborate and monumental soundscapes. The production is clean and crisp and allows you to be able to absorb every detail of everything that’s taking place.

If it sounds like this review is completely built up from hero worship, then that’s because it is. The only fault I have with Vesperian Sorrow is that they take such long breaks between albums… and, even then, when the music’s as good as this, who cares? They more than make up for a bit of waiting around.

Is there anything I would change about the album? Not at all… hence the superbly high score.

Unfortunately, at this time I do not know when the album will be available to buy. As far as I know, the Vesperian Sorrow are currently looking for a label to release it. If you happen to own or work for a label, please get in touch with them.

Rating: 100%

vesperiansorrow.net
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twitter.com/vesperiansorrow

In an attempt to make all of you Loucifer Speaks readers as excited as I am about this, I got in touch with Kris (drums) and Will (guitar) to have a little chat…

Lou: Hi guys, it’s been a fair while since I last interviewed you! I think it may have been back when I was running the “ARSE!” webzine! So, first of all, welcome to Loucifer Speaks! Second of all, how are you?

Kris: Hello Lou, we’ve been very busy.

Lou: I understand that the new album is pretty much complete now. Why was there such a long gap between albums? (What can I say? I’m impatient! Haha!)

Kris: Well, it’s the old VS tradition of exceptionally long gaps between albums haha. Actually it was all the writing, recording, rehearsing that took so long. This album has 10 songs which is the most we’ve had on a VS album.

Will: Also, for us we are a complete DIY band, we have never really had any help from labels or anyone for that matter. We’ve had to overcome many obstacles to bring the band to where we have it now. For one, we have a recording studio that Kris and I built from the ground up, literally. Building the studio, honing our skills and adjusting ourselves to the new environment took us a long while. On top of all that we were taking clients into the studio during the writing of the album so there was always delays and set backs. During that time to we did three tours that we booked on our own. One of the tours we had a member problem, and by the time we got back we were really just wanting to go our separate ways. A few weeks passed by and Kris calls me up and was like let’s get back to work. Took us a little while but JZD our original second guitarist came back into the fold and we found Justin our current bass player. It would be easy for us to be just a studio project, but when you are trying to keep a complete band together so that you can be a live act as well, it’s very difficult without the right guys. We believe we have the most solid lineup that we’ve ever had because everyone in the band right now cares about the band and wants to be here.

Lou: So, the line-up’s changed quite a bit since I last spoke to you?

Kris: Yes it has, and I must say it’s the most solid lineup to date. JZD our original guitar player has returned. We’ve always had great chemistry with him. We also have Sean on keyboards, and Justin on bass. Both Sean and Justin have also taken on the role of backup live vocalists. This is new territory for VS, as we’ve always had one vocalist. It also brings more of a dynamic to our live performances.

Lou: What’s the new album called?

Kris: The new album is called “Stormwinds of Ages”

Lou: How does the new material compare to that on “Regenesis Creation”?

Kris: The new material is more aggressive, and mature. It seems like a new direction for us; however we still retain our VS sound.

Will: Also, we feel that having the ability to get a better production for our records without spending thousands and thousands of dollars has given our music a larger and more grandiose sound on a minimal budget. The goal would be for us to take it even further for the next record hopefully with a little help from a nice label.

Lou: What kinds of things have inspired you all during the writing and recording of this album?

Kris: For me it was an emotional rollercoaster. I had several changes in my life, and my writing followed suit. William, and I did almost all of the song writing for this album. I was also the engineer, and producer. It took a lot out of me devoting so much time to complete Stormwinds.

Will: Kris and I have been writing music for almost 15 years together now, and really we have always just fed off each other. Kris has taken it upon himself with this record and wrote the majority of it on his own. I just added in parts here and there and helped him clean up guitar parts like I always have. Considering he writes the majority of his riffs on keyboards, I’ve always just led off of his riffs. I think we both have the same musical inspirations though, and we have both always liked that big cinematic, grandiose sound.

Lou: Will the cover of “Cry Lil Sister” be on the album? Have you ever played that song live?

Kris: No, and no. Will it be released one day? Perhaps, but this depends on our label success, and if they want us to re-release Regenesis Creation. We have thrown the idea around of re-recording RC.

Will: We are really hoping that whatever label we sign to will re-release Regenesis Creation as it was never properly released and deserves to be.

Lou: Which song from the new album stands out the most for you, and why?

Kris: This is a tough one for me, since I really like all the songs. I would have to say the song “Casting Dawn Into Shadow”. It’s a little different from the other songs, but in a good way.

Will: Kris is absolutely right as that is a very tough question for me as well. I will have to say that the song that I skip to the most is “Casting” as well. There are many great songs on this album but that song has this sound and feel to it that none of the others really have. On top of that we have Erika Tandy from Autumn Tears fame doing guest vocals and they came out awesome. Speaking of guest vocals we have Jason McMaster from Dangerous Toys/Watchtower fame doing a vocal spot on a song called Relics of the Impure that came out Epic as hell, I would consider it a highlight of the album.

Lou: Have you played any of the new songs live yet? If so, what has the reaction been like from the crowds?

Kris: Yes we have, and had very good reception towards the new songs.

Will: Every time we play a show I get compliments after saying “Those are the best songs VS has ever done” or “I can’t wait to hear those songs on the album”. It’s been very frustrating for me waiting so long to get the album out because I just want to hear what people think of it.

Lou: I’ve read that you’ve currently looking for a label to release the album with. How’s the search going?

Kris: We have just begun our search with the help from our manager Doug Burgess. We are all very optimistic, and confident this material will do very well for VS.

Lou: Once you’ve found a label and the album is released, which formats will it be available in? CD please! As convenient as MP3s are, I still love CDs!

Kris: It might be up to the label, but I’d like to see CD, MP3, and a very limited vinyl run.

Will: I am personally still a CD buyer and probably always will be. I like having the physical artwork in my hands. Mp3’s to me are not very attractive because I feel I’m not getting my money’s worth.

Lou: What’s your personal favorite: CD, vinyl or MP3?

Kris: Hard to say. I have so many from many different genres.

Will: CDs for me!

Lou: What are your views on the whole illegal downloading debate?

Kris: At this point it’s almost inevitable your music will end up ripped and downloaded. I tend to have a positive take on it. If it’s out there illegally, at least it’s spreading your name to the masses. There are still plenty of kats who want to buy a CD.

Will: I agree with Kris there is a plus side to it, but there is also a bad side, especially for the labels. Bands these days are making their money on the road playing shows and selling merch. The labels however make their money off of sales, and bands need labels no matter what way you look at it. You can be a complete DIY band and be successful but it’s very difficult. Labels have the ability to market and promote you very quickly without speed bumps, and get you onto larger more successful tours that will help you promote yourself and get your name out there.

Lou: For me, your stuff has a real ‘cinematic’ feel to it… So, if Vesperian Sorrow could rewrite the soundtrack to any movie, which one would it be?

Kris: I always thought it would be neat to compose a soundtrack for an old black and white silent film. I have already composed a couple of soundtracks for indie films, and will continue to delve exponentially into the film industry.

Will: I would like to do the metal version of “Last of the Mohicans” haha.

Lou: Will you be making any videos to promote the album?

Kris: We do have plans for some videos in the works, but we’ll see how things pan out.

Lou: Your gig at The Underworld in London back in 2006 is still one of my favourite gigs ever! Do you have any plans to come back to England? We’d love to have you back! (When I say ‘we’ I actually mean ‘I’… But I’m sure I speak for everyone in good ol’ Blighty!)

Kris: Hell Yeah, we want to come back. I’m sure we will make our way over for this album.

Will: Yeah London was a blast for us. I would really like to come back with our new line-up and some proper equipment! We went and borrowed some bands gear and it left something to be desired to say the least haha. I think we could come back and represent ourselves a LOT better.

Lou: Other than the UK, will you be touring in general to promote the album?

Kris: Yes. VS wants to tour, tour, tour. We are looking forward to some heavy promotion for this album.

Will: It is priority #1 at the point in time.

Lou: And, the final words of the interview are yours. Do you have any messages for the readers of Loucifer Speaks?

Kris: Yes. See you all soon! \m/ \m/

Will: Thanks Lou for all your support over the years now, and we hope to see you and all the UK fans very soon!

Lou: Thanks for answering my questions!

vesperiansorrow.net
facebook.com/vesperian

Anyway… Yesterday (a few hours before the announcement), I discussed with people (pretty much anyone who would listen) which bands I would like to play at Download this year. Once I’d finished it was helpfully pointed out that the festival was called Download and not LouFest. I must admit that the idea of LouFest is very appealing… so I started to think about who would play at LouFest… and this is what I came up with…

(Judging by this list, it may have to be several days long! …and this list isn’t really in order… although GN’R would probably be headlining)

Guns N’ Roses – Well, GN’R had to be there really, didn’t they? Since this is MY festival I get to pick which line-up of GN’R plays (it’s nice to play God at times)… Perhaps surprisingly, I’d like to see the current line-up. The YouTube videos and the bootlegs of the shows I’ve seen from Asia and Canada (and the surprise shows in New York) look and sound AMAZING! I’d have to be an idiot to not want to witness that firsthand! Also, since this would be MY festival, I’d like to suggest one or two songs for their set list – “Prostitute”, “This I Love”, “I.R.S”, “Estranged”, “Coma”, “Back Off Bitch”, “My Michelle”, “You’re Crazy”, “Shackler’s Revenge”, “Better”, “There Was a Time”, “Scraped”, “Madagascar”, “Street of Dreams”… well, you get the idea…

Black Ritual – There’s a chance that not everyone reading this will know who Black Ritual are. Well, I’ll bring you up to speed… they’re awesome! “1000 Yard Stare” was a crazily superb album and I’m really looking forward to the follow up. I’d be over the moon if they played “War Within”, “Terrified”, “These Pills” and “Below Zero”.

Lamb of God – Here’s another band that HAD to be there. Astoundingly good both live and on CD, it would be stupid not to include them on the bill. Songs I’d like to hear: “Reclamation”, “A Devil in God’s Country”, “Bootscraper”, “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For”, “Grace”, “Walk With Me in Hell”, “Redneck”, “Choke Sermon”… etc…

Omnium Gatherum – I love Omnium Gatherum. Really, really love them! And yet, I’m still not sure how to describe them… perhaps melodeath with a progressive edge? Whatever they are, they’re bloody brilliant! I would list songs I’d want to hear… but anything will do …especially “Just Signs”.

Devilish Impressions – I’ve had a bit of an obsession with Devilish Impressions since I first heard “Plurima Mortis Imago”. As far as I’m concerned, that album was (and still is) a masterpiece! Also, they’re bloody good live!

Vesperian Sorrow – Lou likes Vesperian Sorrow. A lot. The band can do no wrong!

Winterthrall – An awesome band that’s not afraid to work in different styles. I don’t care what they played so long as they did play! But, if they were up for taking requests, “Autumn Caskets” wouldn’t go amiss

Enfold Darkness – I’ve got so into this band recently. They are AMAZING!

Michael Monroe – Singer from Hanoi Rocks and solo stuff. Damn good… and he could always do a duet with Axl for “Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll”.

Hate Ammo – Brilliant band! I can’t wait for their album to be released on CD (in the meantime you can listen to tracks on their MySpace). Definitely more than worthy of a spot here!

December Flower – This is a band that I discovered through the wonders of MySpace. Damn good.

Ozzy Osbourne – No explanation needed.

Sebastian Bach – I’ve really got into his “Angel Down” album recently (it’s amazingly good – if you haven’t listened to it yet, you should). A couple of duets with Axl would go down rather well too.

Tension Head – Another ‘MySpace’ band with a great sound! I’d love to hear “The Bear” and “Don’t Worry” live!

Metallica – I never used to be that into Metallica… but “Death Magnetic” changed all of that.

Finntroll – If you have not witnessed the majesty of Finntroll (either on album or live), then you have missed out.

Five Finger Death Punch – 5FDP are amazing live! I have to admit that I haven’t got into “War is the Answer” as much as “The Way of the Fist”, but if they played LouFest it would give them the opportunity to ‘sell’ those songs to me… as I’m sure they’ve all lost a lot of sleep over the fact that I didn’t like that album quite as much… That seems likely.

Aerosmith – Again, no explanation needed. However, Steven Tyler would HAVE to be there!

Thunder – I’d make Thunder reform for LouFest… If I smiled sweetly I’m sure they’d say ‘yes’.

Motorhead – No reason needed.

Alice Cooper – He’s a legend. He must play.

Meat Loaf – The first album I ever bought (on cassette!) was Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell” when I was 9. I’ve been a fan ever since.

Autumnal Reaper – Autumnal Reaper are one of those bands that I’d been meaning to listen to for ages… I recently got their latest album and was blown away.

Stigma – Love, love, love these guys! Can’t wait to hear the new stuff!

Crionics – Quazarre (Devilish Impressions) might find himself getting a bit tired, but Lou likes Crionics.

The Defiled – They’re bat-shit crazy, but in a truly wonderful way. And, well, they rock. So there.

Megadeth – It had to be done

Cor Scorpii – Listen to “Monument”. I don’t need to say anymore than that.

Bon Jovi – I know, I know… Jovi. I’ve lost interest in them for the past few albums, but if they played LouFest I would insist that they only play stuff from “New Jersey”, “Slippery When Wet”, “These Days” and “Keep The Faith”. I’m in charge, so I get to do things like that.

Terrorvision – Tequila, it makes me happy…

Skunk Anansie – Do I really need a reason? They’re brilliant!

Slipknot – I’m not a mega-fan of Slipknot, but I do like a lot of their stuff… and I’d love to see ‘em live… so that’s why they’re on the list!

Danko Jones – They recently toured Canada with Guns N’ Roses and Sebastian Bach and I read quite a few good things about them in relation to that tour… so I decided to check them out… and they rocked.

Sixx A.M. – DJ Ashba’s gonna be a bit busy, but I’ve really got into Sixx A.M.’s album.

A Road Eternal – A brutally awesome band. Everyone should worship them… Loucifer has spoken.

My Undoing – Another band from the same part of the world as Black Ritual and A Road Eternal. I think there’s something in the water there…

Buckcherry – They were fantastic at Sonisphere last year. I’m sure they’d be equally fantastic at LouFest.

Black Label Society – Zakk fuckin’ Wylde. I’ll say no more.

Arch Enemy – Brilliant vocals, brilliant guitar work… brilliantness…

Machine Men – Fantastic band… if you have not checked them out yet, you should do so… now!

Edguy – Great band! And, I want them to play “Trinidad”.

Balfor – Astounding Barbaric Black Metal.

Black Lotus – I’d imagine Black Lotus would be cool to chill out to.

Cancer Bats – Recently got into these guys – gotta catch ‘em live!

Ok… I gotta admit… I’m getting a bit tired of writing explanations now… so I’m just gonna give you a nice list!

Ironside
Swingshot
Destruction
Thin Lizzy *
Egypt Central
Winds of Plague
Ektomorf
Fragments of Unbecoming
H.I.M
Hell Within
Hexagram
I.C.O.N
Ignominious Incarceration
Nervecell
Powerwolf
Reverend Kill
Rumpelstiltskin Grinder
Secrets She Kept
Secrets of the Moon
Sammath
Slowtorch
Thirty 2 Life
Corrupted Truth
Queen *
Pantera *
Soilwork
Stemm
Stuka Squadron
Brother Grey
The Foreshadowing
Twisted Sister
Ugly Kid Joe
Extreme O.D.
Bite The Kerb
Sons of Beaches

…and that’s enough for now… perhaps…
(* I’m using my powers to bring people back from the dead for these ones)

I wish this was real

I’ve provided links where it was possible to do so… but where I haven’t, Google (or your prefered Search Engine) is your friend!

So… any thoughts on this? Wanna post your own Fantasy Festival line-up? Drop us a comment