Band:	Lunatic Soul
Album:	Walking On A Flashlight Beam
Style:	Experimental Ambient, Atmospheric Progressive rock
Release date:	October 13, 2014
A review by:	Introspekrieg

01. Shutting Out The Sun
02. Cold
03. Gutter
04. Stars Sellotaped
05. The Fear Within
06. Treehouse
07. Pygmalion's Ladder
08. Sky Drawn In Crayon
09. Walking On A Flashlight Beam

This is what I need. Music designed for introverts. With such a minimalist sound, every intonation becomes important. You listen carefully.

I like to skip around tracks during reviews to immerse myself in the overall sound, but this was truly a struggle to write. The development of each song just doesn't let me go so easily. I want to stay. This is what I need to feel. I want to enjoy each of the beautiful tones selected in the natural progression of each track.

The faint hum of a didgeridoo. The galactic spaciness wrought forth by the pitch wheel of a synth pad. The sensual narration of an exotic Polish vocal harmony. Tribal drums and abrasive industrial interruptions lead us to a soothing acoustic interlude with pure voice and a faint hint of robotic processing. Then it builds... layers upon layers of beautiful auditory landscape. Finally that drum groove plays a few measures and is joined by another keyboard groove with touches of guitar effect patchwork following; heavenly stuff.

And that's just the two opening tracks.

I'll leave the rest for the listener with my objective opinion. Okay, it may not be as objective as someone reviewing an album they are forced to review, but I still can find faults in the album if I really try.

First of all, if you are the average metalhead, you will hate this. I still feel privileged to write a review for such a magnificent ambient-minimalist album on a metal website. Using the force of transitive-property via Riverside, Mariusz Duda's ethereal solo project has found it's way to your precious realm. But I also feel tired of adding this annotation to my reviews. If I review or recommend something and you have somehow satiated your appetite for music consisting only on a diet of brutal grind and technical death, then I have to question your reasoning for listening to music. You must live a very joyous life. Bless you.

I personally find myself to appreciate the whole spectrum, and somehow Lunatic Soul has always appealed to me. The mystical spacious approach to music coupled with the most orgasmic of singers, impressions are made with each album in the continuum. On that off note, Impressions was my least favorite of the releases. This feels more like a continuation of I & II, but with a more exquisite moniker.

"This time, it will be less oriental, more alternative. Prepare yourself for a solid dose of trance darkness, much more musically varied. It will also be more emotional than ever, because as Duda wants: Lunatic Soul's music must be the music for the souls, more or less insane."

I was worried that the oriental themes would give way to more boring styles, but have no fear, as the Arabic-eastern scales are still prominent. I've found the peculiar and novel choices in tones soothing, positive forces in negating stress. In that oft-dissonant sound may you find peace, find calm, find your center. Walk on synthetic beams of musical light, as they guide you to success and happiness in all you do. Contemplate lost love, embrace new experiences, become better at life. Live it, above making it a living.

Highlights: "Gutter", "Gutter"


"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them."
― Marcus Aurelius