LAHANNYA

Following last year's 'Welcome To The Underground' EP comes this - Lahannya's sophomore full length album, 'Defiance', which builds on, and explores in greater depth, themes already established on that 2008 release. Summarised in the press blurb, the concept deals with the "misfits and nonconformists ostracised from a 'Brave New Britain'" who "have withdrawn into the London Underground tunnels, creating a parallel society" with 'Defiance' "tracing the path of a resistance leader living with the terrible knowledge of having participated in the creation of the technology that made such extensive surveillance possible". A thematically Orwellian approach, and undoubtedly more relevant in our 21st century socio-political climate than ever before, the expectation is that of the music to reflect such bleak ideas. To a degree, yes. Commencing with an atmospherically dark intro piece, the aptly titled 'Prelude', menacing synth sounds and timpani beats are overlaid with police sirens and heavy breathing, then this transforms into a euphonic quasi-choir and melancholically ambient keyboard strokes, before segueing into first song 'Dying Inside'. Palm muted heavy guitar riffs are fused with the band's trademark electronic aesthetic, drumming that alternates between half-time and up-tempo four-four beats, and Lahannya, the lady herself, delivering her finest vocals to date. So, do we get a somber aural experience as suggested by the album's narrative? As I've already said, to a degree, but not as 'melancholic' as one would perhaps expect. When the music does venture into more upbeat, and dare I say affectively 'optimistic' territory, there are always menacing electro sonics at work in the mix to suggest the techno-induced paranoia of Lahannya's thematic intent. And it works ever so well indeed. Some would label 'Defiance' as Goth Metal, although I think that would be drastically missing the point, as heavy riffage is deployed as part of the overall effect rather than a predominant element of the music's overall proclivities which are, in essence, a fusion of several genres of which metal is just a part. Nothing groundbreakingly original here, but a solid, well produced (by bassist Lutz Demmler) effort that is definitely worth checking out.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Kabuki Records

Album

DEFIANCE

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

46:51

RELEASE DATE:

19th Oct 2009

TRACK LISTING

1) Prelude
2) Dying Inside
3) Sick and Tired
4) Brave New World
5) Burn
6) Adrenaline
7) Open Your Eyes
8) Interference
9) Piece by Piece
10) Kill Me If You Care
11) No Way Out
12) Our War

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"When the music does venture into more upbeat, and dare I say affectively 'optimistic' territory, there are always menacing electro sonics at work in the mix to suggest the techno-induced paranoia of Lahannya's thematic intent."