First album from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth saga worshippers Summoning saw the light of day back in 1995. The album shows the black metal roots of the band, so it differs quite a lot from newer releases. But Summoning was always more than "just another black metal band".

Summoning have had class from the beginning. The base of 'Lugburz' is black metal, but they incorporated unforgottable epic melodies that made them Summoning. Black metal parts sound a lot like older Abigor, and no wonder as Silenius was in the band. The music is mostly brutal, nasty black metal, since Summoning's now familiar melodiousness is heard only now and then. This is no droning black metal since the pace of the music changes constantly.

Summoning were a three-member band in 1995. Protector Of All Endless Sleeps sung, played guitar and keyboard, Silenius played bass, keyboards and sung while ex-member Trifixion Of The Horned King played drums. Therefore the album is more organic than later releases from the band. The production (if it can be called that) is very harsh and echoing. The guitars sound like angry bees, but the drums and bass bring just enough of lower end in. Very similar when compared to Abigor, again. If I'm right, the sound gets worse at some point for awhile for some reason. There's some playing mistakes, which are easily heard, especially on the drums. There is a couple of MIDI-parts of which the band are known these days.

The vocals are inhuman shrieking. As always, there is no lyrics printed, which is a bit sad. Cover art is great for Tolkien fans and fits the music very well. Summoning have managed to invoke Tolkien's atmospheres on 'Lugburz' musically, even though they have done it much better on their subsequent releases. At least evil and dark atmospheres are well present.

If you are a new follower of Summoning, please keep in mind that this is far more harsh and brutal when compared to newer, more MIDI-based works (at least percussions and more synths). If your ears are hard enough for black metal, you'll find a lot of interesting music here.

Rating: 6 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/02/2004 12:01