Is Lamp of Murmuur a clone of Immortal? That discussion has been stirring up the scene for years. And yes, it’s blatantly obvious that M, the man behind this one-man project, is heavily influenced by Immortal and especially by Abbath’s style of songwriting. Is that a bad thing? I have no idea — that’s for everyone to decide for themselves. Personally, what matters to me is simply whether an album sounds good.
With the previous record, Saturnian Bloodstorm, I still had my doubts and wasn’t sure what to make of it. But with this new release, I’m actually quite satisfied with what I’m hearing. And again, plenty of people will disagree, but honestly, I couldn’t care less. In the end, I listen to music for my own enjoyment, not to uphold anyone else’s sacred cows.
After the intro — which adds very little to the album as a whole — we dive straight in with the nine-minute Forest of Hallucinations, a track that once again showcases those unmistakable Immortal influences. And sure, when a band starts out, there’s usually a clear imprint from one major influence, but after six years and a shitload of releases, you’d expect a project to start carving out its own path.
Still, there are plenty of surprises to be found on this album. Take A Brute’s Angels Sorrow, for instance: that’s not Immortal worship at all, but leans much more toward Death in June, specifically the Rose Clouds of Holocaust era. It’s an unexpected turn that initially feels almost disorienting, but it does show that M is willing to explore directions many people wouldn’t credit him for.
And then there’s the three-part title track, where we suddenly plunge headfirst into full-on ’80s darkwave. Echo & the Bunnymen, The Sound — those influences are undeniably present. These are bold, maybe even downright strange combinations within a black-metal context. Does it all work? I’m honestly not entirely sure yet. But the very fact that the album takes these detours makes it far more intriguing than just another predictable Immortal clone.
Conclusion: Immortal’s shadow still looms large, and it’s safe to assume that this will always be part of the Lamp of Murmuur identity. Still, M clearly attempts to explore new territory on this album. Whether these experiments will appeal to everyone is doubtful — some listeners will be put off, others will be fascinated. But personally, I listened to this album with genuine enjoyment. It’s far from perfect, but it does show growth, boldness, and a sense of direction that is slowly starting to pull away from Immortal’s overwhelming influence.
85/100