Lanfear started in 1993 and released two CDs on the DIY-way: Towers in 1996 and Zero Poems in 1999. To my ears, they were back then a very appealing prog metal band. After those releases, the singer and the keyboarder left the band and were replaced by other people which led Lanfear into a straighter power metal direction. The result can be heard on their new album The Art Effect which has finally been released on a real label. The opener Stigmatized underlines already in a clear way that Lanfear have become harder; fast guitar riffs, a blasting double bass drum sound and a classic power metal voice are the proof. Lanfear are however no pure power metal band and a Fates Warning like track like The Artefact gives you some hints about the band's past. Songs like Deeper or Beneath It All show that Lanfear play power metal in a serious way and that they can't be considered as simple trend-setters. Even a mid tempo song like Fortune Lies Within is no problem for the new Lanfear. They are a very good metal band, but I have to admit that I preferred them as a progressive metal band. Nevertheless a true and convincing album.
REVIEW POSTED AT http:// disagreement.
net-----Their third album "The Art Effect" is one of those records, I would describe as being PERFECT.... Nearly everything works well, superb vocals, great songs, over the top production......their Power Metal, which is inspired by some US bands, should appeal lots of people because stylistical similar bands like BRAINSTORM sell much records, too.
LANFEAR offer one hit after another, with high pitched vocals, polyphonic choruses and BIG power in their rhythm section. Speed crushers like the great "Traces Of Infinity" or "Stigmatized", slightly progressive breakers like the divine "The Artefact" (what a chorus) or "Deeper", everywhere you put the laser, there rules always top stuff. A big compliment goes to singer Tobias Althammer, apart from Andy B. Franck, he has not to be afraid of any other competition in Germany. But all the good critics don't serve any purpose when their sales are so low. I know, this album is on the market for a long time but it doesn't developed to a bestseller. All critics had been good but the Metalheads seem to have something in their ears - or no money, or no taste. Then put your money in HELLOWEEN clones or buy the new MAIDEN, METALLICA or RHAPSODY. Who cares, when the probably best German newcomer for years doesn't gain any attention... I'm pissed off...support the underground! REVIEW POSTED ON http:// metal-observer /--------- I 'discovered' Lanfear on the Internet a couple of years ago through a few samples of their second album "Zero Poems" and was immediately overridden by the wall of sound that this German band could put down on album. For a long time after, it was very quiet around the band, until great news leaked out that they were signed by Massacre Records and were busy recording their third studio album. Those messages also informed us about line up changes. Eventually, it seemed to be vocalist Stefan Zoerner who had left the band and was replaced by Tobias Althammer. Keyboard player Richie Seibel was the newbie in the band, but closer inspection proved that he is definitely not coming straight from college as the biography enclosed links his name with a.o. Charisma and Ivanhoe, two respectable progressive metal bands.
Zoerner went off to form Zhorn, together with producer Andy Horn (more info: http:// zhorn.
de ), but definitely didn't take the wall of sound with him, nor the numerous progressive and (albeit light) thrash influences that bring colour to the band's songs. Songs that basically can be described as power metal, but thanks to the several aforementioned influences, they're more than just that. Those who know Lanfear's previous work and especially "Zero Poems", an album that extensively displayed their experimental side, will know what I mean. It's hard to say if Althammer is a better singer than Zoerner. I thi
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