Lankester Merrin – Dark Mother’s Child

Lankester Merrin
Dark Mother’s Child
Label: MDD Records
Out: October 24^th, 2024
Playing time: 37:38

Just over one year has passed since the release of ‘Dark Mother Rises’. And the follow-up ‘Dark Mother’s Child’ is already on the way. It’s the third album from the Hard Rock band Lankester Merrin from Lower Saxony. From my point of view, the predecessor still had some weaknesses. New label, two new musicians – does that also lead to further development?

On ‘Dark Mother’s Child’, the band continues its breathtaking development and sometimes goes a little harder musically than on its predecessors.

That’s what the accompanying press release says. All this naturally arouses curiosity.

With ‘Eyes Of The Night’, Lankester Merrin continue where they left off with ‘Dark Mother Rises’. Thunderous riffs, whipping drums and a singer with a unique Rock voice. And a brilliantly fast guitar solo. Headbang alert. And ‘High Plains Drifter’ is not a bit slower. It continues with the same irrepressible metallic heaviness. The double bass sets the tempo.  So it’s no surprise that ‘Hoist Up The Sail’ follows exactly the same line. Fortunately, the songs still seem melodic despite everything. Then the musicians from Hanover seem to have taken my words about the previous album to heart. ‘Immortal Price’ is a Metal anthem that tends towards the mid-tempo range. With a strong vocal melody. But the level of heaviness remains high. ‘In Rank And File’ is also mid-tempo for long stretches, even if the drumming is driving in places. Very rhythmic, with a great guitar solo. With ‘Lords Of The Flies’, it’s back into the high-speed range, with double bass attacks. Once again, no prisoners are taken. The fast but melodic ‘Mastermind’ follows on seamlessly. In ‘When Darkness Comes’, Speed Metal and melodic anthemic passages alternate. And then at the very end comes the long-awaited rest. ‘Valley Of Tears’ is an impressive power ballad. Clean guitars and synth strings caress Cat Rogers’ calm vocals. The singer is barely recognisable here. For me, this is by far the best song on the album. A successful mixture of contemplation and Metal power. And the guitar solo is simply outstanding.

Lankester Merrin seem visibly more mature on ‘Dark Mother’s Child’. There is much more variety than on its predecessor. The icing on the cake is of course the ballad at the very end. Will there be even more variety on the sequel to the ‘Dark Mother’ cycle? Let’s wait and see.

Lineup:

Cat Rogers – Vocals
Flo Schulz – Guitar
Steffen Vorwald – Guitar
Benjamin Offeney – Bass
Shawn Layer – Drums

Track list:

• Eyes Of The Night
• High Plains Drifter
• Hoist Up The Sail
• Immortal Prince
• In Rank And File
• Lords Of The Flies
• Mastermind
• When Darkness Comes
• Valley Of Tears