LAM is a new group to hit the scene, formed by musicians that have experience in the game (such as with HERROD and BROOHAHA). The lineup aims to give occultist a musical run for their money, with the band drawing its name up from an encounter reported by Aleister Crowley. The framework is an exciting element to the group, formed in March of 2020, that lays down high hopes for this introduction to their story.

In all honesty I thought that Lament, the first of three tracks, was some type of humor. It isn't until you get to the 1:30 mark that some type of metal starts moving. I am completely without a clue. The music is sporadic, and it really feels like you might have gotten punched in the face by the transition. It is cold, dark, and scary. I'm absolutely certain that there is the inclusion of a car horn, and possibly a pterodactyl, in this track. Holy mother of whiplash.

Ruin provides the listener with no solace, as the introductory three note punch of the guitar drives you in to a hole and just sort of leaves you there until the "chorus". The structure is definitely a little easier to follow in this track, occasionally giving the AB feel of verse / chorus that most listeners find memorable. The effects dialed over the top in this track seem to be setting a sonic record, while still leaving the guitar and bass sounding "old school". Now that the pterodactyl has taken his leave, I have to wonder what on earth in this track gave that ringing feel, although I wouldn't be surprised if it was a cast iron skillet or a pot.

The demo leaves us with Absolved By Violence, which starts off rock and roll enough. It keeps that energy up through a clear mark in the track when your senses can be completely overtaken by the right system. Go ahead and crank it, the wobble in this choppy production might just knock you clear out. Fast and violent, this track could easily offend the senses and tear a listener to shreds. While maintaining their uniquely thin and effect laden string section, the band delivers a performance that would make molten metal feel chill.

LAM deliver a f****** brutal performance front to back in this demo. It will absolutely be added to the list of tracks I am bringing along with me to the family Christmas. With a handful of missed steps in my opinion, the band still brings it home with style and straight up filth.