Review LORD VIGO “Walk the Shadows”

The sound of “Walk the Shadows” might be surprising to some listeners, but if you’ve listened to the previous album, “We Shall Overcome,” you’ll notice some elements that become much more dominant on the latest Lord Vigo album. However, it was not to be expected that the band would move on so consequentially in a new direction, and fans of the earlier epic doom metal era may have a tough time with this release. However, “Walk the Shadows” is an exciting album that showcases a band in constant motion.

“Walk the Shadows” comes with seven songs and an intro called “A Morbid Realm.” The latter sets the scene for the title track, which starts with a marching drumbeat. What follows are synth-supported soundscapes reminiscent of the ’90s. A dark wave and gothic vibe runs through the title track and the entire album, with bands like the Sisters Of Mercy serving as inspiration. This influence is especially evident in “Through a Glass Darkly,” a song that, while slightly different from what we might expect, has a great energy.

The dark and gloomy “We Shall Not” continues the journey through the ’90s sound with a hypnotic rhythm that casts a spell on you. “Killing Hearts and Endless Nights” takes things a step further. The synths are more prominent than in some of the other songs on the album. When I listened to the song, I was immediately reminded of Simple Minds. “Servants of the Dark” has a melancholic vibe, and the melodies do their job. Once again, it’s the sound of the synth and the vocals that transport you back to the heyday of darkwave. The same goes for “The Triumph of the Killing Heart,” which reminds me of bands like New Order in parts.

“El Hakim” is the title of the final piece. The song, which is the longest the band ever wrote at 12 minutes, is an example of their musical prowess. It is a logical conclusion of the album, being a fusion of the cosmic soundscapes of a band like Eloy and the melancholy of The Cure. Though it seems too long at first, it unfolds a captivating essence over time.

This musical twist might upset some Lord Vigo fans, and perhaps the band should have released the album under a different banner. However, redoing the same album over and over again is boring, and what the five-piece does with “Walk the Shadows” is a brave development of their musical vision, driven by creativity. “Walk the Shadows” is a great album that deserves attention.