Even though the name LUCTUS seemed familiar to me, I later realized that this is the first time I come across this band (LUCTUS really makes you think that you know a Black Metal band by this name). Anyway, the one thing I got right was the Black Metal one. And it has been a while since I listened to a good BM album...

This band, or to be more precise, solo project, hails from Lithuania, a country that has produced some good Black Metal acts. Kommander L (Luctus), who is the man behind the wheel, began this project in 2001. His first steps were not that successful, since his first amateur demo tape that was recorded with an acoustic guitar did not actually reach the underground metalheads. After 8 years and some more releases, LUCTUS returns with a new album.

Jauciant Pabaiga Arti (which means feeling the end is near) is a thrashing Black Metal album full of nice ideas and chaotic melodies. Luctus has gathered his favourite elements and has tried to mix them creating a violent sound. His patriotic and war themed lyrics are nicely presented through his MARDUK meets LOITS music, though there are several times that someone may lose interest, not due to bad music, but due to a little bit of extra work that could be done here and there. The riffing is really good, combining catchy grooves and relentless outbreaks and the sound is heavy and decent (although a little more heaviness would make LUCTUS sound like a tank).

I had some time to listen to anything by Ledo Takas Records (actually some years), but the label tries to recover some of the lost ground with this nice thrashing Black & Roll (?!) album. Fans of the genre should probably check it out.