The two song EP, Lotus Thief – Forlesen by Lotus Thief and Forlesen will be out on January 26th on I, Voidhanger Records. WIth both bands sharing several members, Ascalaphus, Bezaelith, Petit Albert, it would be a no brainer for the two to join forces for an epic two song EP.
With Lotus Thief forming in 2012, the band creates a post-rock, doom, black metal vibe with their inspiration often based around myths, philosophy, paganism, and more. Similar in sound, Forlesen formed in 2016.
Born during the pandemic, the EP had both bands look towards old texts and traditions that challenged each other but united them as well.
Giovanni Boccaccio‘s The Decameron, a set of short stories taking place during The Black Death, was the inspiration for Lotus Thief. With “In Perdition” echoing the parallels of quarantine from the recent pandemic to The Black Death, the song examines the fear, the optimism, and the aftermath of lockdowns.
While Lotus Thief explored life, Forlesen chose loss.
With “Black is the Color”, the band spins the traditional Appalachia folk ballad into a death march that is heartbreaking and haunting.
Allowing time to intricately weave full stories without haste, both songs are over the eleven minute mark and both are captivating. The quiet, hushed, and unrushed moods of both songs dive into the light and the darkness of life, love, and loss during a global pandemic.
