This is the debut album from international doom metal band Lights of Vimana.
That Déhà chap certainly gets around. Apart from his own prolific output, he recently supplied vocals to the new album from the mighty Aphonic Threnody. I mention this here because he’s back once more, providing vocals to another doom band – Lights of Vimana. This time he is working in concert with two others, (current/ex-members of Dalla Nebbia, Mesmur, Void of Silence, and Pantheïst), to bring us 48 minutes of atmospheric/progressive doom, in the shape of Neopolis.
Despite being a sucker for anything Déhà is involved with, I didn’t realise he was in Lights of Vimana at first, so it was a pleasant surprise that he is. His vocals on Neopolis are as impressive as ever, and they’re given a wide scope. Mostly cleanly sung, his voice is extremely strong. With all of his growls and screams across his various projects, it’s easy to forgot what a fantastic singing voice he has. Here he has a potent presence whenever he sings; a clear voice full of emotive power. His deep growls are used in places too. He is joined on two songs by the singer of Eurynome. They’re not a band I know, but I now feel I need to check them out as the singer has made a good impression with her performance here.
The five songs are cinematic explorations of doom metal. The music is a rich and textured form of progressive doom that’s focused on atmosphere and emotion. Luxurious synths and orchestral flourishes layer the songs like a blankets feeling, while the guitars can be surprisingly heavy and substantial for an album so focused on mood. I’m glad they are though, as I’m equally glad they are only one tool in the Lights of Vimana toolbox. All parts of the music have a part to play in constructing these colossal tracks, and the end result is nothing but a high quality absorbing experience.
A compelling mixture of darkness and beauty, Neopolis is an apocalyptic journey through a nightmare landscape that still has sights to captivate and a glorious majesty that promises redemption and hope. Each song delivers a well-crafted and enthralling world to explore. It’s dark and dystopian, but worth spending time in, getting to know its dangers and its opportunities. Lights of Vimana build, sustain, and manipulate atmosphere very well, and Neopolis is a striking and affecting work.
Neopolis offers the listener a progressive and atmospheric take on doom metal that’s well-differentiated against much of what else is out there. Richly adorned with superb singing, it’s a wonderful exemplar of expressive doom worldbuilding, and I look forward to getting to know it even more over time.
Wonderbox Metal 