THE BAND
This American band’s name comes from Batman, Lorna Shore was a curator that he dated.
Lorna Shore releases their fourth EP …And I Return to Nothingness on August 13th, 2021. Its genre is deathcore, blackened death metal, and symphonic black metal.
This is their first work with Will Ramos on vocals, their third singer. He has given the band a new popularity, with his singing techniques, outrageous vocal range, demonic growls, and pig squeals. All of these things, mixed with the rest of the band, which are very technical and skilled musicians, create exciting build-up and nasty breakdowns, that will keep you at the edge of your seat the whole time.
This EP contains only 3 songs, but they are so fascinating and powerful, that are more than enough for presenting this current era of the band.
LINE UP
- Will Ramos – vocals
- Adam De Micco – lead guitar, bass
- Andrew O’Connor – rhythm guitar, bass
- Austin Archey – drums
THE SONGS
1. To the Hellfire. The song is about someone that is longing for death, then descends to hell. It starts beautiful and peaceful, acoustic, but rapidly transforms into a very epic and dark track. Killer guitar solo by Adam De Micco, and then comes the breakdown, my favorite part, and throughout the song exquisite orchestral elements.
With this song, I got to know the band, recently and became obsessed immediately.
When this song came up, it was an absolute success. All were impressed with Will‘s singing abilities and of course with the rest of the band’s technical capacities, like Austin Archey‘s drumming speed and precision.
But the part that drives everyone wild is the intense ending. After the amazing guitar solo, comes the last breakdown, my favorite part and many people’s too. The band drops so low, and then Will starts growling, screaming, doing crazy transitions from highs to lows, and then pig squeals, simulating the protagonist entering hell. It’s so well done, that the first time I listened to it, I was so shocked and couldn’t help but laugh and also completely marveled at this song and this part, in particular. My heart stopped for a moment, time stood still, and I was fully absorbed by this incredible and haunting piece.
2. Of the Abyss. It starts super epic, the synth gives it that colossal sound. Choirs, double pedal, black metal keyboards, but with deathcore vocals, awesome guitar solo, very technic. The protagonist is already dead. We die and we are born again. Our fate is to die, like karma, an eternal loop. We are infinite.
The symphonic parts generate a great contrast with Will‘s harsh vocals, screams, and gutturals. Wicked progressive guitar solo by De Micco. The orchestration is on point and the breakdowns are insane. Archey‘s drumming is of a beast, his double bass is flawless.
3. …And I Return to Nothingness. This is the title track. Here, the person comes to life again, but a cursed life, it is a punishment. This song has my favorite guitar solo, of the three songs. Angelical choir. Organ plus Deathcore. Stunning ending.
The whole album represents the cycle of life, we are born, we die, and then we were born again.
The choirs and keyboards, black metal style, reminded me of when I was younger and listened to Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir and that brought my attention to listen more to Lorna Shore. The acoustic and symphonic parts are so sweet and delightful that summed with the rest of the instruments so majestically executed and Will’s demonic voice, his effortless highs, and lows, and nasty breakdowns make pure perfection.
So, if you like deathcore and symphonic elements, this EP is totally over the top, and you’re going to love it. Of course, since this album they released another one, but that is going to be another blog post to come.
Tracklist
- To the Hellfire
- Of the Abyss
- …And I Return to Nothingness