Search - Holy Roman Empire :: Lost in Landscapes

Intensely good.

R. D. Nicchitta | London, England | 07/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although 'Lost in Landscapes' is now relatively old news for Holy Roman Empire, having released their debut album, 'The Longue Duree' in June, this EP is absolutely unmissable.



Despite opening with the comparatively easy going 'Gaper's Delay' and 'Guards Off', the remaining tracks on this six-song CD are darker and heavier than much of the album. 'Your Side' is bass-heavy and infectious, the soaring guitars of the earlier tracks replaced with a more muted sound led by t times almost growled vocals. 'Topography', from which the title of the EP is taken, borrows from the lower, darker vocals of 'Your Side' and takes it further to a pensive, at times almost desperate cry before dropping abruptly to a fade out of distortion.



'Ways to Save Our Lives' immediately blasts back and seems almost inconceiveable as the same band who would later release 'The Longue Duree', except for its haunting vocals which will later be echoed on 'Shatter Historic', although they are at this time supported by a much stronger sound from the four other members.



Closer 'Pony Express' is one of Holy Roman Empire's strongest tracks, showcasing both Emily Schambra's incredibly powerful and controlled vocals and the capabilities of her remarkably talented and seemingly intuitive band mates; this track, like many of their others, has an ability to lift a listener's mood and carry it through as it rolls with the sentiment of the song.



'Lost In Landscapes' is definitely unmissable and by the chugging crescendo at the end of 'Pony Express', you'll be wondering where the rest of the album is - this is far too good to be a debut EP."