ONIRIC METAL

This is a gem that goes, I think, rather too unnoticed.

While this album features all the usual trappings of progressive metal, namely the male vocalist with the high singing range, the secret bass player (I dare you to find one on almost any prog metal album), the double bassed riffs, the wild guitar solos, and vampires, it also plays around with some nice unexplored areas. The title, Oniric Metal, should set this apart as its own distinct form of music. The mastermind, Vivien Lalu, plays the keyboard but doesn't hog the lead (a rarity that is not very common in album composed by keyboardists); rather, he hurls his sounds into a tangible but still ethereal wall of ambiance, playing for mood rather than to explode with his wild chops all over the Glossy 88.

If it weren't for the clever use of keyboards as a backing soundscape (I say clever because it's not common in metal, not because Vivien thought it up himself), this album would be average or slightly below. It's very enjoyable, but the song structures are pretty standard and a lot of the riffs are nothing terribly new. But tunes like Timestop and Night in Poenari turn into beasts of sound and feeling through this man's genius sense for sonics. Truth be told, the lyrics are wonderfully corny. What do we have here? Let's see: time traveling, vampires, werewolves, pot-smoking aliens, and a few other standard metal lyrical ideas. But, in the end, they are not the point.

Overall, a fairly silly and mildly unimportant release, but a very well crafted one at that, with some fun vocals and absolutely great keyboards. Oh, and yes, Lalu does bust out some wicked fake plastic ivory tickling here and there. Give it a listen. Not mindblowing, but pretty darn good.

Lalu is a prog metal band who release a single album in 2005. The name of the band is take from the musician's name Vivien Lalu, he is more of a guest musician and composer than playing in a single band, working with some great bands from metal zone like Shadrane or the german musician Hubi Meisel. Anyway after colaborating with these bands he decided to form his own band - Lalu. The album was released in 2005 named Oniric metal. On this album Lalu invited some strong musicians like, the former bassist from Annihilator, the drumer from Devin Towsend, JoOp Wolters on guitars, a name that shoud be more on our lips when we talk about prog metal guitarist and the excellent vocalist Martin LeMar, while Lalu keeping the atmosphere on keyboards. The album, musically is not something new, but is very well produce and played, creating on some pieces a atmpsphere hard to describe in words, you must listen to convinced is great. The progressive metal is on every track, stunning chops and time signatures, delivering a superb metal album. The best pieces are: Wolven Eyes - here Martin LeMar shines on vocals, Timestop and the longest from here Potboy:The Final Fantasy, the rest are above average. This album desearve much more attention that is got today, this worth every second of it. The musicianship is tight and awesome. Each instrument sound crystal clear. Something to mention is that while all the music is composed by Lalu he never bursting on keys, he doesn't have fast key solos, he only keep the atmosphere of the piece on the right direction. I might say he has some very intristing arrangements, he never shows his technical playing like other prog metal kyebordists but for sure he can create some beautiful soundscapes and intelligent elements. Oniric metal desearve 4 stars for sure, it's time for this album to break the border of underground in prog metal. Recommended

LALU is the project of keyboardist Vivien Lalu. Some noteable members of the band include Martin LeMar from TOMORROW'S EVE on vocals and Ryan Van Poederooyen the drummer for Devin Townsend. I must admit the vocals bug me somewhat because he reminds me of David Coverdale at times. Even if I liked the vocals the music here while outstanding at times just doesn't do much for me overall.

"Yesterdayman" opens heavily with pounding drums. Keys then vocals join in as it settles down. It kicks back in before 3 minutes then settles once more. "Wolven Eyes" is fairly heavy with deep vocals. It settles with keys and reserved vocals before 2 minutes. A guitar solo follows as it kicks back in. It's ok. "Windy" opens with fragile vocals and keys. Synths come in. It does get a little fuller. Not a fan of this one at all. "Night In Poenari" kicks in around a minute to an uptempo and heavy soundscape. Vocals after 2 1/2 minutes then it calms right down. Not for long as a stampede of drums comes in. Contrasts continue.

"Moonstruck (The Soulish Element)" opens with some atmosphere. Keys before a minute and vocals follow. "Timestop" features more atmosphere. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes but it's fairly laid back as reserved vocals join in. This is a catchy and relaxed section. The tempo picks up before 5 minutes then settles back. "Star Watcher" is spacey to start.It kicks in when he screams and keys galore follow. It's ok. "Potboy:The Final Fantasy" is the over 18 minute closer and the best track. This sounds way better as we get some Metal ! Some spoken word samples 1 1/2 minutes in then it kicks back in heavily. Great sound 10 1/2 minutes in.The rest of the track is hit and miss. Not a fan of all the piano at one point.

This has it's share of good moments but I can barely muster 3 stars.