Frailty



2008 - Lost Lifeless Light

Reviews:

Harm.us
(august 2008)

Frailty is the first and only metal band from Latvia i know. They were formed back in 2003 and after several line-up changes and a demo release they signed a deal with Solitude Productions and that's how "Lost Lifeless Light" came to birth.

As most of the bands of this label, Frailty are in the doom/death style too. Heavily influenced from My Dying Bride and Saturnus they present us a very good album. I've written many times before that i consider this style as one of the most difficult ones. There is a huge catch and this is no other but the sound of the British act. If you try to copy this sound then you are sentenced to fail. Frailty managed to avoid this catch. They are influenced as they should be but there is also a strong personal view in their songs. Most of their songs are slow or mid tempo with amazing lead guitars and haunting melodies. "Ariadne" for example starts as a mid tempo song and in the 4th minute there is a very melancholic melody that goes on for a while until a better one comes and the ends the song. These melodies is the strongest part of Frailty along with the excellent growling vocals of Martins. They also use some clean vocals in some of their songs but they are not good at all in my opinion and this is their weakest part. Of course styles like this demand a variety of vocals but they should all be of the same standards.

"Lost Lifeless Light" is a very good debut album with great songs like "Ariadne", "The River Of Serpents" and "A Summer To Die". If you like this style then you won't get bored with this album. The production is very good as well as the artwork. The booklet contains all lyrics which fortunately are in English and this is another plus for the band. You see many bands from the ex-USSR countries like using their native language in some (if not all) of their songs and this is kind of weird for the typical listener.

Overall, this is a very good album that will satisfy all doom/death metal fans and especially those who like My Dying Bride and Saturnus the most. Support this band, it's not only Scandinavia with good bands in this style nowadays. There are lot of hidden treasures in these countries as well and Frailty is one of these.

Reviewed by: Bleeding

Ferrum
(may 2008)
(10/10)

I just listen to FRAILTY album „Lost Lifeless Lights“ in this thick and dismal sprig day. It nothing less than fits for the „dawn“, not only due to the title. Though it’s time for the review of creation of Latvian doom metallers that can easily put you into depth of fatality. And the thread of Ariadne should not save you... Nine compositions are for your attention including bonus track titled in Latvian. One should start with the compliment for the layout. The cover is in black and silver tones, the booklet is nice and it capture with quality photos. You must know there are two variants of „Lost Lifeless Lights“ released, designed for local and foreign promotion, respectively. And the recording quality is high as well. „The eclipse“ starts with intro that is so acute and ringing although it predicts dark and somber atmosphere. Nothing strange as FRAILTY is in doom metal and the feeling will hover all the time when you will listen to the album. The second composition is a little bit kinda MY DYING BRIDE sound although it is not a copy of the band. That is typical example of doom metal according to the best norms if not to say more. Deep and strong vocals of Martin? is accompanied by crying guitars and by the stream of keyboard sounding. All in all you feel variable mood here consequently the track is both savage and romantic. Well, you can find double vocals in „Ariadne“ where clean voice of Edmunds contributes. The track is far more fast and dynamic yet also diverse and attractive. Oh, motives of slow tempo are really fascinating. One can imagine mythic Theseus leaving the labyrinth in guidance of the thread of Ariadne... The fourth composition is especially hard, depressive and slow, in veins of darkest doom metal. It can bring you to eddy of madness and fall. It is not recommended for listening if you are under depression or possessed by suicidal mania otherwise you are the candidate for decorations of FRAILTY performance. „Graphics in Ebony“ is like reference of pressure, malice and mystery in the album. Moreover, it seems to be one of the strongest and best tracks in the material. It’s hard to believe but you even hear certain accords of black metal including blackened vocals for a moment and then tunes turn to tearful and doomy sound again. Altogether the track is really great! We have the track number six that is extra fast and only in slight touch with doom metal. Nevertheless the power of vocals and the overall instrument sounding of high quality and technique are amazing again. Yea, sweet „fall of eve“... Your suspicion whispers the seventh piece to be lyrical. You could feel deluded but shortly you find that to be true. Combination of two vocals is especially toning here and your impression must be outlined only. Oh man, we don’t want to „die in summer“ particularly in the nearest season as there are a lot of metal fiestas worth to visit! So we are touring to the next-to-last song. Here you can find a cup of grudge, malice, brutality of death metal... yes, a swallow of „scorn“. Romantic, doomy, long and painful leitmotif sounds only in the final. Bonus track is like certain attack of anger attending by lyrical aura and it is pretty final cut of the album. I am also angry as the release is over again and I have not next hour free to listen to it once more. So the rating follows and I am sure FRAILTY guys are worth of such. Here I leave you with the album to listen to. Believe me – the work is highly recommended for your attention...

Reviewed by: Birut?