Lost Soul - Chaostream

Rating: 9.5

Country: Poland

Release Date: 2005

Track list:
1. Word Of Sin
2. Godstate
3. Death Crowns All
4. Shameful Race
5. The Hidden Law
6. Mortal Cage [MP3]
7. Christian Meat
8. Angel's Cry
9. The Birth Of Babalon

Total playing time: 45:56

Band Website: Lost Soul

Lost Soul - Chaostream

Jacek Grecki - Vocals, Lead Guitars
Piotr Ostrowski - Rhythm Guitar
Tomasz Fornalski - Bass Guitar
Adam Sierzega - Drums

Every once in a while, amidst all the stagnant horse manure saturating this music, an album comes along that reminds you why you started listening to Death Metal to begin with. An album so incredibly powerful in execution and masterfully crafted that it's all you can do to be completely beside yourself upon hearing it for the first time. So enamoured I am with Lost Soul's latest offering, I actually took the time and cash to order the real deal from the local record shop, even after receiving the (free) promo from Earache.

This is a far cry from the Lost Soul you knew years ago with 'Scream Of The Mourning Star'. Gone, is the amateurish songwriting and silly lyrical content. Nor is this the Lost Soul you knew on 'Ubermensch: Death Of God'. No synthesizer here to weaken the incredibly heavy riffs displayed on that album. 'Chaostream' begins with the frighteningly heavy "The Word Of Sin". This song is more or less a summation of the band's sound, and sets a very high standard for the rest of the record. The drums blast and thrash back and forth in the verse/chorus/verse style, and they throw in some very melodic lead guitar work for good measure. The leads are about the only thing "melodic" about this album, though. The rest of it is caustic, abrasive, and teeming with aural ferocity. The lyrics seem to deal with some sort of transcendental supernatural universal consciousness or something, with the obligatory dose of blasphemy. I won't even pretend to understand 90% of what the lyricist is talking about.

"Godstate" starts more or less midpaced, with an immediately headbangable riff. A short staccato palm muted riff follows that, and the song literally explodes into a maniacal blastbeat frenzy. The whole song breaks for about 8 or 9 seconds while the drummer, Adam goes absolutely insane on his snare/bass drums. I can hardly find words to describe the sheer joy of hearing this section of the song at extremely high volumes. This is a definite standout track. "Shameful Race" is another Chaostream highlight, as it showcases the instrumental proficiency of every member of this band to the letter. Perhaps one the more well-written songs here. The changes and transitions are faultless. I won't spoil this one for the listener by getting too in-depth, but it's easily my favorite.

"Christian Meat" is the odd one out on 'Chaostream', as it's mostly slow to mid-paced, in stark contrast to the extremely fast tempos of the remaining 8 songs. Also, a very well-written tune in and of itself, it has a lot to offer the listener. However, Lost Soul don't seem to be content with making a token "slow song". They change it up a bit with an unusual riff that wouldn't seem too out of place on a Necrophagist or Spawn Of Possession record. I would recommend listening to this song in the small hours of the night with the lights turned out for maximum effect. The atmosphere is harrowing, really.

I would normally break down every song individually, and describe highs and lows (as if there were any!) points in a more objective fashion, but I'm afraid that by the time I got to track 9, "The Birth Of Babalon" I would have long since run out of adjectives that equate to "incredible". This right here, kids... Is the real fucking deal. This is how Death Metal should sound. Ferocious rhythms, coupled with ripping leads, and more riffs than you can shake a stick at. With an above average vocal performance courtesy of Jacek Grecki. Jacek's vocals are primarily a low-register throaty growl, however he occasionally employs layered effects and more mid-range rasps. This can be heard during certain chorus sections.

It's becoming more clear in recent months that Earache/Wicked World have their finger right on the pulse of everything that's still good about this music. If there are any more releases like this one in store for us, I'll be the first in line. This is easily the best Death Metal record I have ever heard recorded by a polish band, and considering the hotbed that Poland has become in recent years.... That's saying a lot. Buy this now.

April 11th, 2005