LYCHLAKE are a Symphonic Extreme Metal band forged in the heart of England. "The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus," commonly referred to simply as Doctor Faustus, is an Elizabethan tragedy by Christopher Marlowe, based on German stories about the title character Faust. It was written sometime between 1589 and 1592, and may have been performed between 1592 and Marlowe's death in 1593. I am assuming that the album is based in this play. The album contains seven tracks.

"Bene Disserere Est Finis Logices" leads off the album. It's a 12-minute beast. It opens with light symphonic elements leading to a harsh scream. The production is just a bit treble friendly. The pipe organ amps up before the Black Metal vocals continue. The riff changes at the half-way mark, entering darker territory. The vocals deepen. A classical run of lead guitars follows, with piano notes and spoken word entering. "Consummatum Est" opens with gloomy organ notes. Drums roll in and then a somewhat melodic path is followed from there, though it is very solemn. Spoken word follows. It turns deadly with harsh vocals and a very chaotic passage. Settling back into a slower groove, the melody returns, and continues through the end.

"Felicity Bequeathed by the Neck of Paramour" begins with soft piano notes and some tense background tones. Harsh vocals kick in and a slow grind begins. Symphonic elements come in with a grand sense of being. Towards the end, the sound drops to just some background ambiance and some sweet lead guitar notes, in a blues scale. "Libera Me I" is a short track, featuring mostly melodic vocals that you might hear in a church choir. It is quite soothing. "Libera Me II" begins with a heavier sound, but those symphonic elements are still present, interwoven into the music. Another lead passage with classical notes shows that the band has a strong sense of musical training.

"Penultimate Patricide" opens with howling winds before thunderous drums roll in along with harsh vocals. The harsh sound continues until just before the end, when it shifts to a tenser passage that rides in and slowly fades away. "The Tragedy of Doctor Faustas" closes the album; a 23-minute opus. Slow and steady tones open the song. It begins a steady climb until the five-minute mark, when the rest of the instruments join in. Close to the half-way mark, piano joins in, and the band is sprinkling in many different elements into this song. From there, classical piano notes occupy much of the middle section of the song, with distorted guitars and harsh vocals waxing and waning. Towards the end, it slows down to just some lead notes in an emotional passage that ends on a heavy crescendo meant to underscore the tragic nature of the play.

Perhaps what is most impressive about this very diverse album are the heavy classical leanings of the guitar chord progressions as well as in the piano and keys. The Black Metal elements are equally as present, but it's in the area of the symphonic work where the band really shines. This album was very well put together, and these musicians are both thoughtful and talented.