Lord Vigo | Walk The Shadows | High Roller Records

 

Lord Vigo is an epic doom metal band from Landstuhl, Germany, active since the mid-2010s and known for their cinematic sound, heavy atmospheres, and references to classic fantasy and science fiction. The band takes its name from the fictional tyrant Vigo the Carpathian from “Ghostbusters II”, which hints at their taste for gothic and fantastical storytelling. Since their debut, Lord Vigo have been pushing into territory between Candlemass-inspired doom, progressive concepts, and synth-laden dramatic interludes. Previous albums like “Danse De Noir” (2020) and “We Shall Overcome” (2022) formed a conceptual duology full of ambitious narrative arcs and theatrical grandeur. With “Walk The Shadows”, their sixth full-length album, they step outside conceptual bounds and focus on self-contained songs.

 “Walk The Shadows” marks a shift for Lord Vigo, abandoning the continuous storytelling of their previous works in favor of a more isolated song structure. Despite the change, the material remains firmly rooted in the band’s signature style—melancholic doom steeped in atmosphere, synths, and retrofuturist dread. There’s a noticeable injection of gothic rock and post-punk here, pulling elements from Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, and Sisters Of Mercy, but filtered through a metallic lens. It makes the album both familiar and strange in a way that benefits repeat listens.

The production has a cavernous, deep tone without becoming overburdened by murk or compression. The mix preserves clarity where needed—particularly in the vocal layering and the moments where the synthesizers swell to the forefront. Vinz Clortho’s vocal choices are key here, shifting to much lower registers, adding a mournful, ritualistic quality that’s less theatrical than before, but fittingly austere for the material. Guitars by Volguus Zildrohar and Tony Scoleri maintain weight and scale without overwhelming the space, and the shared duties on bass and rhythm allow the arrangements to remain balanced across the album.

The songs don’t conform to predictable structures. “El Hakim,” for example, stretches to over twelve minutes and brings the album to a slow-burning conclusion, driven more by mood than dynamics. On the other hand, tracks like “Servant Of The Dark” and “The Triumph Of The Killing Heart” pulse with a darker, minimalistic energy that leans toward gothic rock more than classic doom. It’s clear that Lord Vigo has taken creative risks, not by abandoning their core sound, but by expanding the ways in which they express it. The album’s pacing is even, with no obvious filler or unnecessary interludes.

“Walk The Shadows” stands as a thoughtful and brooding release by a band who continue to challenge their own trajectory. Rather than repeating past formulas, Lord Vigo expands their stylistic framework with restraint and conviction. It’s a dark journey worth undertaking.

Score: 8