On its third full-length release, "Danse De Noir," German epic doom metal trio LORD VIGO (named after Lord Vigo von Homburg Deutschendorf from the movie "Ghostbusters II"), has abandoned its early-era occult/horror-based subject matter in favor of a retro, Sci-Fi "Blade Runner/Matrix"-esque theme. The 10 futuristic tracks are decorated with progressive metal and NWoBHM-guitar harmonies and '70s rock-styled Hammond organ melodies with doom metal influences in the vein of bands such as CANDLEMASS, ANGEL WITCH and SOLITUDE AETURNUS. The powerful and unique crooning vocals of vocalist/organist/drummer Vinz Clortho (real name Patrick Palm) and the band's haunting and catchy melodies are key elements to what Lord Vigo does best.

Every track (including several narrative interludes) compliment the true concept album with a unique story line that propels the spacey tale throughout its 45-minute runtime. It's a classical story set to music, with each track flowing seamlessly into one another in the vein of QUEENSRŸCHE'S conceptual masterpiece "Operation Mindcrime." Progressively, the album builds off of what the band has established on its previous two full-length albums.

Following the 38-second intro "The Voight Kampff Situation" - which sets the tone of the concept by introducing the female protagonist Nihlai - the anthemic and majestic title track spills out of the listener's speakers with a cinematic ambiance, while the cowbell-propelled rocker "Between Despair and Ecstasy" switches gears fantastically by adding a different dynamic to the proceedings. The Dio-era SABBATHian riffs of "At the Verge of Time" are dramatic and bombastic, while the melodically-driven composition of "Shoulder of Orion" is truly magical. However, the epic seven-plus minute closer "Memento Mori" finishes things off perfectly with the right amount of doom and melody.

Recorded and mixed by Clortho in his own Atomic Age Studio, while the material was mastered by renowned engineer Patrick W. Engel, LORD VIGO achieves a pristine, clean and modern production with an old-school '80s analog vibe. LORD VIGO may be one of the best kept secrets of the epic doom metal scene. On "Danse De Noir," the band has created an interesting and unique interpretation that will certainly force fans of this genre to take notice.