LAG I RUN: Vagrant Sleepers (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Lag I Run, an enigmatic and mysterious name. Online, little information emerges as we try to learn more about this French quartet created in 2007 by singer and guitarist Nay Winhead in southeastern France, and which released its first album, "Sunlight Scars" in 2010. After a long period, the band is releasing what seems to be their second album this year, "Vagrant Sleepers".

Given the complexity of the eleven tracks that populate the opus, we quickly understand this gestation period so explosive are the compositions. And from the very first seconds of the first track, 'Thirteen', the listener is overwhelmed by the diversity of a music without limits. There is Queen in the choirs, Native Construct in the changes of atmosphere and The Mars Volta in the dynamics.

All along the disc are found very diverse influences. 'The Isle' presents a classical and symphonic side while 'Nurble Mäs' pulls more towards punk with its very fast rhythmic and a chorus sung by the other members of the group, before taking a more hard rock turn on the verses where you could hear Extreme or Guns'N'Roses with steroids. But it is in the progressive metal tracks that the band is most impressive and convincing. The shadow of "Between The Buried And Me" hangs over 'Prowling' with its jerky and very precise riffs, for a completely crazy and full of flavours track. A solo of a saxophone that doesn't hold up in place gratifies the piece to give it a very colourful and delirious side.

In the middle of this hectic atmosphere, the quartet knows how to calm the game with 'To The Moon', which stands out with a minimalist trip hop atmosphere that comes out of nowhere close to Radiohead. The track gradually increases in power until a very successful instrumental finale reminiscent of Soen's excellent "Lotus". We will also not forget "Jardin Français", a very interesting and mysterious title that also starts quietly and ends with a bang.

If musically the album is very rich, the vocals are not to be outdone and shows real prowess. On 'Thirteen', we discover an inhabited singer, able to offer throat singing, ragged or high-pitched without any difficulty. Beyond his technical mastery, his performance skills are also remarkable, as evidenced by "Muscle Muscles" and his inhabited schizophrenic vocals, powerful and theatrical, for a stunning result.

Perhaps it is this madness, carelessness and instability that make the songs sometimes lack coherence or direction. Anyway, Lag I Run is a real progressive metal band like there are relatively few of them. "Vagrant Sleepers" is an album of great density and rare complexity that will leave no one indifferent and will require many listenings to understand it as a whole with all the attention it deserves. - Official website

LAG I RUN

VAGRANT SLEEPERS

KLONOSPHERE

PROGRESSIVE METAL