Lux Occulta

 Today in 2001 Lux Occulta released the album The Mother and the Enemy

Dukla (early), Cracow (later),Poland Black Metal (early), Extreme Avant-garde Metal (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 1994-2002, 2011-present

Lux Occulta had a relatively short run in the late nineties, but remains the clear BNR favorite among Polish metal bands. Formed in late 1994, they reached their peak with 1999's My Guardian Anger, where they harnessed their highly original brand of frenzied, technical black metal, most notable for some brilliant keyboard and drum work. The followup, 2001's The Mother And The Enemy, went off the rails a bit, clearly showing a band in conflict, as the album featured several tracks in the mold of their previous works but also tracks that branched out in bizarre directions, such as the odd but ultra-cool Portishead-styled trip-hop of "Midnight Crisis" and "Yet Another Armageddon", and the industrial death march of "Gambit". To some these alternate tracks made no sense whatsoever, though to these ears they were a fresh addition and a great contrast to their more traditional works. Unfortunately it was this lack of direction that most likely led to the band's demise soon after Mother's release. As late as 2007 a revamped lineup was still in existence, but all was quiet until 2012, when formal work commenced on a new album, now set for a spring 2014 release.

Jaro.Slav Vocals

Kriss Drums

Martin Bass

U. Reck Keyboards

Peter Guitars (rhythm)

Vogg Guitars

Guest/Session

Włodzimierz Kossak Bassoon

Zbigniew Szmatłoch Synthesizer (bass)

Dawid Kosiarkiewicz Saxophone (soprano & bass)

India Czajkowska Vocals (female)

Gerard Niemczyk Drums

1. Breathe In (0:54)

2. Mother Pandora (5:46)

3. Architecture (5:53)

4. Most Arrogant Life Form (3:50)

5. Yet Another Armageddon (3:28)

6. Gambit (6:12)

7. Midnight Crisis (6:34)

8. Pied Piper (9:15)

9. Missa Solemnis (7:44)

10. Breathe Out (4:11)

Total Time: 53:50

Released by Metal Mind Productions in Poland.

Recorded during August / September 2001 on the fundaments of Studio 333.

Mixed and mastered at Studio 333, Czestochowa, Poland.

The Mother and the Enemy is the fifth album release by the Polish symphonic black metal group Lux Occulta. It expands upon the band's signature sound by incorporating influences from a variety of styles, including free jazz, trip-hop, death metal, industrial music, electronica, and spoken word.