Over the years, we’ve taken delight in covering bands from all over the world. But I don’t think I ever thought we’d be bringing you a thrash band from the Indian Ocean. Yet that’s exactly what we’re doing with the exciting old-school sound of Lomor, who hail from Réunion Island, a French overseas department near Madagascar and Mauritius.
The trio started out with Eric ‘Babouk’ Castelnou (guitars and vocals) and Matthieu ‘Micha’ Michalina (bass), who have been friends for a decade. They completed the lineup with drummer Gurvan ‘Typhvs’ Cambrai, who Eric met at StudioTic, a legendary place for musicians on Reunion Island, where they organised a Slayer tribute. The band came together in April 2020, just as the pandemic hit, which gave the trio time to refine their music.
Describing the sound the band has honed, Eric told us: “We have a sound inspired by old thrash bands. Vocals are not growls but not clean either. People often say that we make more speed metal… who knows?”
Our first taste of this is Lomor’s debut album Perseverance of Sickness, which was released last year. From the album, they just released Broken Eternity, which opens up with a light repeating riff which expands as crashing cymbals gradually increasing in intensity. It drops into a light bassline as whispery vocals come in and drop into a chunky guitar riff and big rolling drums. Gruff vocals take over before heavy guitars feed into the delicious vocals “Open the gates, Ancient Rites, Satan’s awakening from below, Your cold blood, Running through your spine, Embrace Eternity.”
Heavy twisting guitars continue alongside the vocals, then a lively section of chugging guitars, driving drums and fast-paced vocals. A piercing guitar solo takes over alongside and drops into a delicious chunky riff that brings the track to a lively conclusion alongside cries of “Face your broken eternity.”
On the track, Eric said: “The music video released last month has been quite well received! I think it is the most ‘professional’ video production we made since the first one. I believe this song recalls some old ones with mid-tempo and fast riffs.” Check it out in the video here:
The album is packed with equally energetic thrash goodness, including the lively The Great Defender and Vicious Plan (Of Worm’s Extermination), the intense Brother In Black, and Constrained Humanity, which will be a favourite of anyone who loves jamming out to lively guitar riffs.
But a personal favourite is the fourth track Kanyar L’Enfer, which is the only track on the album to be sung in French. It opens up with a sinister chuckle and fast-paced guitars and drums that are sure to have you headbanging along. A chugging riff and palm-muted chords take over before flying into a wild opening verse, and the chaos ensues from thereon. Check out this superb track in the video here:
Eric tells us he first got into metal through old Metallica albums, and considers James Hetfield to have been his guitar teacher over the years. He then discovered Slay and Kerry King, who he says “blew my mind away too.”
And when it comes to inspiration for Lomor’s music, Eric explains: “I think society is our main influence. Things are very weird these days you know! Reactions, beliefs and misbeliefs were very scary these last years. And this bad side of our world maybe influences our writing the most.”
Lomor’s debut album Perseverance of Sickness is out now, and you can find it in the links below. While Eric reveals the band are also hard at work composing songs for their second album. You can also see Lomor live from next month, starting at Slam Skate Bar in Saint-Pierre, Reunion on 24 November. They’ll then be touring in France, starting at Rock N’Eat in Lyon on 29 November before shows in Aubagne, Montpellier, Rambouillet, Angers, Barberaz and finishing up in Annemasse on 9 December. And you can see them back at Studiotic in Saint Denis on 16 December. More info and tickets are available on their website.
And Eric adds: “Well, we are not the first nor the last thrash metal band but we love what we are doing and we hope people will enjoy it. The only thing we want is to share our energy and music on stage!”
You can follow Lomor on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.
Listen to Lomor and more new music on our Spotify playlists GigRadar Core and GigRadar Metal
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