As debut albums go this is a pretty good one.
Lost in Thought began life in Wales back in late 2007 when David Gray (guitars) and Simon Pike (bass) got together and began seeking other musicians for a project and band. They soon enlisted the talents of Greg Baker (keyboards) and Chris Billingham (drums) and began composing the music that was to be the sound of Lost In Thought. In 2010 the line up was completed with the addition of vocalist Nate Loosemore. They recorded a demo in 2010 and signed a record deal in March 2011. On 29th April, the band launches their debut album 'Opus Arise' on Inner Wound Recordings.
Lost In Thought opens the album with 'Beyond The Flames', a thundering track which is equally powered along by the bass and drums as it is the guitar. This is an early indication of what can be expected from the rest of the release. The merciless guitar onslaught continues on other ear splitting tracks like 'Entity' and the gothic and complex album closer in 'Assimulate, Destroy'. This closing number shows the band can work very intricate tracks as well as straight out rocking. But that is not all that's available here. The most commercial track on the album, 'Blood Red Diamond' has a softer melodic tinge to its overall sound. Beautiful keys and a good chord progression make this a very memorable track. 'Seek To Find' returns to a more heavily chugging power chord sound but fuelled by a wonderfully futuristic effect on the lead guitar, and a wild solo to fling yourself around too. These two are the most infectious tracks on this record, and are likely to be the two that stick in peoples mind running round unable to leave. It is not metal all the way though, the band takes a small break with the ballad 'New Times Awaken'. This starts out with piano and acoustic guitar, but allows its electric brothers to return near the end building to a crescendo as the song finishes.
As debut albums go this is a pretty good one. It is not outstanding but that is basically because there is nothing unexpected with this release especially in its overall sound. The promotional material for the band indicates their direction very well. LiT describe themselves as a mixture of progressive, symphonic and heavy metal which is a truthful description. One or two tracks even border on speed metal. They are very much in the heavy/symphonic side of that description, so don't allow that troublesome word "progressive" to put you off. The band models their sound on the likes of Threshold and Seventh Wonder. There are also nods to the likes of Maiden and Queensryche in its makeup. This is especially true of the later - think 'Empire' turned up a notch. If there will be a surprise it won't be the actual music, but possibly the fact that a new band can sound so tight and established on a debut album.
The production side of the album is above average and allows each level of the song to play its part. This was handled by Jacob Hansen who has formerly worked with Pretty Maids. There will be some who would like the vocals given a notch more and the marauding guitar a notch less. But that is an argument you could have with many albums. There does seem to be a moment or two when Nate's vocals feel like they are reaching the edge of his range. He can clearly mix it up vocally, but it will be something the band needs to make sure they stay the right side of in future.
If you like your metal with growl and bite in the vein of Sepultura or Cradle Of Filth then this might be a bit too light for your taste. If however you like your metal epic and grand along the likes of Kamelot or Avantasia then this should be a new band now on your radar. Lost In Thought has recently been added to the bill and will be opening for the Delain / Serenity tour in April and May.
Dave Scott
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