Recent Reviews

December 2024

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Lazarus A.D.: Black Rivers Flow
Lazarus A.D. Black Rivers Flow album new music review

Lazarus A.D.: Black Rivers Flow

Thrash/Heavy Metal
4.5/5.0

Metal Blade
Website Facebook Twitter MySpace
by Miguel Blardony,  03.07.2011

Based on this writer's experience, the genius of certain albums can only be revealed after several listens or more. Love at first sight is a rarity that's cherished everywhere. Unfortunately, there are bands who won't grab you by the collar in an instant. Often then best approach is old fashioned patience. Expect patience to be amply rewarded when it comes to Black Rivers Flow, a furious sonic storm of a second album from Lazarus A.D.

Lazarus AD formed a few years back and since their 2009 debut, they've proven to be a very promising band that is immune to trends. If the musical genealogy of Lazarus must be traced, expect it to go no further back than 90s thrash, where grooves became so integral to various repertoires, whether it be Pantera or Entombed. Okay, so there are grooves here, which always sound nice when done with verve. But there's lots of angry riffs and serious dueling guitar wizardry to boot. Think of recent efforts by Devildriver, Machine Head, Shadows Fall, and God Forbid. In short, Lazarus A.D. succeeds at combining everyone's favorite ingredients for a mighty satisfying aural dish that's an excellent example of pure American Heavy Metal.

After a very short and unobtrusive intro draws the curtain open, American Dreams crashes in grooves galore and it's a cool start for an album whose energy never drops. Discriminating ears might  be tempted to gripe about bassist Jeff Paulick's raw vocals, but to slag the guy on this count alone is plainly unfair. Throughout Black Rivers Flow Lazarus A.D. prove they're expert songwriters who can kick you in the pants and bring a smile on that “why so serious” face. The melodies are huge and so is the anger, epic nature, complexity, and out of control guitar pyrotechnics from the Alex Lackner-Dan Grapen tandem.

For best results, sit back and listen to this beast from beginning to end. Whether it's the energetic gait of Casting Forward, the anthemic Ultimate Sacrifice, or the fiery Light A City (Up In Smoke), the album burns at  a steady pace until the riveting climax Eternal Vengeance, itself a monstrous seven minute slaughter-fest that closes the album on an explosive note. What's great about Lazarus A.D. is that they still fall back on the eternal verities—slaying guitar work and a solid melodic backbone—to inject the scene with fresh blood. Simply put, this album shouldn't be missed.




CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

In Short

For best results, sit back and listen to this beast from beginning to end. What's great about Lazarus A.D. is that they still fall back on the eternal verities—slaying guitar work and a solid melodic backbone—to inject the scene with fresh blood.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Powell-Payne: Voilá Album Review

The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]