Written by Chris Jamele (Manifesto Magazine/Rasputin Music) Stigmat77@aol.com

   LEMUR VOICE: Divided              Label: ZYX Music

   While their debut disc was pretty standard progressive metal, their
latest, Divided is definitely a more mature effort.  While keeping the great
melodies found on the first one, this disc reaches out further into different
musical styles.  With essentially longer tracks, the band leaves more room to
develop themes and experiment.  Just from hearing the atmospheric ambience
and wild vocal fluctuations that grace the opening track, "Solilocide", you
can tell that the band have taken a slightly different approach.  The other
tracks help to support that theory as well. Intricate and haunting, the
keyboards mingle beautifully with the dynamic guitar work on my favorite
track off Divided, the ten minute "Childhood Facade".   Clocking in at just
under ten minutes, "Lethe's Bowl"  lashes out in top progressive metal form,
heavily influenced by Dream Theater.   On another of Divided's lengthy
tracks, the title cut, intense fusion passages, heavy guitars, and wailing
sax solos create a very interesting sound.  Leaning to a more heavy and
groove-laden sound, "Parvedian Trust" is a very pleasing track with massive
riffing and a few suprises.  The biggest suprise on Divided is the only cover
song, and an unusual one at that; with a tight mixture of prog-metal and
jazz, the band pull off a pretty damn good interpretation of Michael
Jackson's "Beat It".  Upon completion of this listening experience, I must
say that I'm deeply impressed.  Divided is a major step forward for the band
both musically and creatively.  I am sure that I will only adore it more with
each listen.

-C.J.

PROGPOWER 99

LEMUR VOICE

Opening up on the main stage, Lemur Voice were blessed with a near perfect
sound, whether this was due to them being the only band being given a
soundcheck, plus having their own soundman would have assisted them
greatly.
For a band with relatively little live experience under their belt, their live show
was stunning to say the least. The band used the large stage very well, with
guitarist Marcel Coenen seeming to be at home with his surroundings. Most
surprising of all was just how powerful singer Gregoor van der Loo’s voice
came across in the live setting, his voice was far clearer and understandable
than on either of Lemur Voice’s two albums. Bassist Barend Tromp played
the Chapman stick for the majority of the set to add little extra strength
to the sound.
The set was drawn heavily from the new ‘Divided’ album, with only one song
‘Memory Lane’ being dug out from their debut ‘Insights’. Highlights were a
brilliant version of ‘All Of Me’ and an emotional ‘When The Cradle Cries’.
My only gripe, and this is really nit-picking, is that Gregoor’s in between song
talking was entirely in Dutch, therefore leaving us non Dutch speaking audience
a little puzzled. But given they are a local band playing on their ‘home turf’
I’ll forgive them J .
Certainly Lemur Voice got the festival off to a magnificent start, showing that
the bands to follow would have a lot to live up to, if they were to equal or
surpass their performance. They showed that on this performance, that if invited
back, they deserve a much higher placing on next year’s bill.
Overall a thoroughly professional performance from a very underrated band,
that deserves a lot more success. My rating 10/10