The Lamp of Thoth - Portents, Omens & Dooms

'pataphysicien · Post by **'pataphysicien** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:48 pm

ok, here's what I splurged out spontaneously:

a great album for sure, but I think my expectations were a bit different from what the band delivered and probably set out to deliver too. a lot has to do with the 'fun' vibe that is so pervasive, but I could and should have anticipated that of course from everything released so far. somehow I think I crave sincerely troubled and troubling darkness in doom. there is something about the production also, a bit disjointed somehow, but I can't put my finger on it yet. awesome vocals (with some weaknesses here and there, but the styles, variety and drama really make them so great) good songwriting and filled with godly riffs - they will slay live, no doubt about that! this needs many more spins though and I'll add my impressions as they come in.

any opinions on this album?

Black Axe · Post by **Black Axe** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:57 pm

Yeah, it isn't as dark and crushing as I had hoped, but it's a great album nonetheless. But like you said, it needs more spins to really sink in.

mordred · Post by **mordred** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 2:47 pm

I personally think this is a crushing album that well surpasses the already great 10" they put out last year. I don't mind the somewhat humorous side of some things. Come on, it's not like you'd believe that Lord Strange sang "fucking on the altair of the church in town, turning all the crosses upside down" in all right-through seriousness anyway. I take myself seriously and I take metal and doom seriously too, but not so seriously that I can't stand someting tongue in cheek. Lighten up.

The Lamp have done one of the top five albums of the year for me.

'pataphysicien · Post by **'pataphysicien** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:15 pm

mordred wrote:I personally think this is a crushing album that well surpasses the already great 10" they put out last year. I don't mind the somewhat humorous side of some things. Come on, it's not like you'd believe that Lord Strange sang "fucking on the altair of the church in town, turning all the crosses upside down" in all right-through seriousness anyway. I take myself seriously and I take metal and doom seriously too, but not so seriously that I can't stand someting tongue in cheek. Lighten up.

The Lamp have done one of the top five albums of the year for me.

I don't need to lighten up, but thanks for the advice

I agree about the top five. and it is a crushing album. there is just nothing that does not feel tongue in cheek. it's a great, fun and often wonderfully eerie and obscure feeling album - generally very well done. I just cracked up at the greatness of 'your closest friend is a goat' whilst shopping, superb stuff. so don't get me wrong, I love the tongue-in-cheekness of it, the lyrics are extremely well written too. it's just that I was hoping for something 'deeper' here and there, regardless of how that sounds. it's that deeper connection that ties me so close to the few, most cherished doom bands, that's all. and I would have wished that TLoT became one of them because they are hands down an awesome band.

great_knuthulhu · Post by **great_knuthulhu** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:25 pm

'pataphysicien wrote:
mordred wrote:I personally think this is a crushing album that well surpasses the already great 10" they put out last year. I don't mind the somewhat humorous side of some things. Come on, it's not like you'd believe that Lord Strange sang "fucking on the altair of the church in town, turning all the crosses upside down" in all right-through seriousness anyway. I take myself seriously and I take metal and doom seriously too, but not so seriously that I can't stand someting tongue in cheek. Lighten up.

The Lamp have done one of the top five albums of the year for me.
I don't need to lighten up, but thanks for the advice I agree about the top five. and it is a crushing album. there is just nothing that does not feel tongue in cheek. it's a great, fun and often wonderfully eerie and obscure feeling album - generally very well done. I just cracked up at the greatness of 'your closest friend is a goat' whilst shopping, superb stuff. so don't get me wrong, I love the tongue-in-cheekness of it, the lyrics are extremely well written too. it's just that I was hoping for something 'deeper' here and there, regardless of how that sounds. it's that deeper connection that ties me so close to the few, most cherished doom bands, that's all. and I would have wished that TLoT became one of them because they are hands down an awesome band.

To me, the humour and tongue in cheek is one of the main reasons why The Lamp are so great. It's about good songs and doom first, sure, but theirs is Hammer horror doom. It's about the Devil Rides Out, not existentialist "occultism as a metaphor" pondering.

And Stefan, you really need to cheer up. You Killjoy, you

'pataphysicien · Post by **'pataphysicien** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:45 pm

great_knuthulhu wrote:
'pataphysicien wrote:
mordred wrote:I personally think this is a crushing album that well surpasses the already great 10" they put out last year. I don't mind the somewhat humorous side of some things. Come on, it's not like you'd believe that Lord Strange sang "fucking on the altair of the church in town, turning all the crosses upside down" in all right-through seriousness anyway. I take myself seriously and I take metal and doom seriously too, but not so seriously that I can't stand someting tongue in cheek. Lighten up.

The Lamp have done one of the top five albums of the year for me.
I don't need to lighten up, but thanks for the advice I agree about the top five. and it is a crushing album. there is just nothing that does not feel tongue in cheek. it's a great, fun and often wonderfully eerie and obscure feeling album - generally very well done. I just cracked up at the greatness of 'your closest friend is a goat' whilst shopping, superb stuff. so don't get me wrong, I love the tongue-in-cheekness of it, the lyrics are extremely well written too. it's just that I was hoping for something 'deeper' here and there, regardless of how that sounds. it's that deeper connection that ties me so close to the few, most cherished doom bands, that's all. and I would have wished that TLoT became one of them because they are hands down an awesome band.
To me, the humour and tongue in cheek is one of the main reasons why The Lamp are so great. It's about good songs and doom first, sure, but theirs is Hammer horror doom. It's about the Devil Rides Out, not existentialist "occultism as a metaphor" pondering.

And Stefan, you really need to cheer up. You Killjoy, you

so I guess I do, if you say so as well

it's definitely a case of different tools for different tasks. I'll take The Lamp to cheer up and Reverend Bizarre for the depressive spells then

Metal Mike · Post by **Metal Mike** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:59 pm

I'll just stop by and say this is a fucking class album! Along with the last Gates of Slumber album, I just can't stop listening to it! Amazing and makes me proud to be English!

Levi · Post by **Levi** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:15 pm

Great band. Released only top notch stuff, including their awesome demo. Even better live!

ElectricWizard · Post by **ElectricWizard** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:20 pm

It's good but not awesome. Maybe my hopes were too high cause I can't shake the feeling of disappointment

kingstomb · Post by **kingstomb** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:11 am

I really like this album, I think it has the same sense of humour that bands like Venom and Witchfinder General had on their earlier releases.

omen of hate · Post by **omen of hate** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:19 am

maybe the best release of this year ... great band !

StygianBlade · Post by **StygianBlade** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:46 am

Great album, great band...

msp · Post by **msp** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:13 am

They played a good set at Dutch Doom Days this year. It was a nice respite from all the Funeral doom that the other bands played.

Oliver/KIT · Post by **Oliver/KIT** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:05 am

Great Band, great Record

ShadowGallery · Post by **ShadowGallery** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:48 pm

I love THE LAMP, their mixture of Doom, NWOBHM and Hammer Studios-atmosphere is wonderful and unique......