I first discovered Lost Society in a very sweaty Fleece in Bristol about 10 years ago. Back then they were a live wire explosion, single handedly resurrecting the corpse of 90’s thrash, and they were bloody good at it too!
Formed in Finland in 2010, Lost Society have very clearly been on a journey since I last encountered them. Whilst the energy remains, they have embraced an almost dizzying array of influences. The most apparent being an inescapable aroma of Nu Metal – an often-maligned genre that maybe only now is beginning to be recognised for its role in the evolution of modern metal styles. Symphonic string sections sit upon Hip Hip beats while death metal grooves crash through an atmosphere as dark as night.
‘Hell is a State of Mind’ introduces itself with ‘Afterlife,’ a pleasingly sinister opener that sets the scene for what follows perfectly. ‘Blood Diamond’ expands the theme with a sprawling complexity. I would suggest the title is possibly a metaphor too far- I’m fairly sure diamonds, blood or otherwise are not red, that could just be my pedantry though!
The rest of the album was a pleasant surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Joonas Parkonen’s production is satisfyingly polished throughout retaining enough of Lost Society’s signature energy writhing within the industrial synths and the bombast of the Babelsberg Film Orchestra. Smooth, is the word I keep returning to when trying to describe the overall sound.
‘Hell is a State of Mind’ is the sound of a band continuing their evolution without giving a good goddamn what anyone else thinks, and if that ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll, I don’t know what is.
Best paired with: baggy jeans, spiked hair and a cello.
Reviewed by Jake (our wine expert)
‘Hell is a State of Mind’ by Lost Society is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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