Hello friends and welcome to today’s episode of Intercranial Gymnastics, our guests are Lorna Shore, who entice and enthral with their operatic symphony Pain Remains, a vivid journey into the world of lucid dreaming. What can be a disturbing experience is explored further, what if we become part of the dream and not wake up? I do like concept albums; the introduction takes me straight into the arms of the Carmina Burana, so I am already sold.
The elegant, and seamless transition from the Deathcore/Metalcore to the epic symphony metal genre is exquisite, a work of art really. With a propensity for propelling the black, white and the grey, these guys cover all points germane and then some.
Under the mesmerising gaze of Will Ramos, we encounter a version of ourselves in the parallel world, we spin, we run, we hide, we despair at what unfolds, we accept the interlaced machinations of a world that is both conceivable and believable but in the fullness of time we realise it is not to be. ‘Apotheosis’ contains one of my favourite words ‘crepuscular’ conjuring up all sorts of twilight activity, forbidden, under the cover of darkness, a bit cloak and dagger, settings and imagery that sit perfectly here.
‘Dancing In Flames’ gives us the big riffs, and an even bigger chorus, ethereal and spellbinding. How pain manifests, how it transcends and transports us and gives us direction, it is a Daedalian effort, structured yet contorted, terrifying yet tender, enchanting and eventful. The sound is immaculately presented, steeped in Dimmu Borgir / Cradle Of Filth territory, oozing the romantic, sizzlingly sinister vibes, tunes that are pyretic, inducing febrile excitement and tension simultaneously. A complex, tear stained, and all-consuming odyssey from nothingness to a rapturous somethingness, from cocoon to butterfly, three cheers for Lorna Shore!
The grand finale is ‘Pain Remains III: In A Sea Of Fire’ and the dramatic words ‘witness the death of God, hear the devil’s choir’ awakens the listener from their slumber to realise they are back in the real world. Follow the ascendancy, stratospheric and heavenly, with plenty to think about and cogitate over, devour and digest at will my friends.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, with splintered veins, only pain remains.
Azra Pathan
Lorna Shore – Pain Remains out now