Demian Clav

"Wisteria Lodge" (Album, 2011)

Prikosnovenie Records

The latest (third) outré album from the enigmatic Frenchman identified only as ‘LSK’ mines similar gothic baroque territory to the first outing Nightfall Prayers (the only other one I’ve heard and thus can compare it with). The same instrumentation is present and correct and the prog-rock influence is still readily apparent. A narrative appears to span all nine tracks with the titular property the focus for what is unquestionably a dark tale. This appears to be a speculation on the titular abode from the Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge. Indeed, passages from that text can be heard spoken by a female voice in the background.

Those looking for a fix along the lines of The Legendary Pink Dots, And Also The Trees and Ashram would do well to give this a listen. Though prog-rock is not a genre I’ve much time or love for, in Demian Clav’s work, and on Wisteria Lodge in particular, the often classical influences and strong structural work combine to grandiose effect, where a song like Winter Lies Sonata brings together various influences into a single style that because of the unique combination of ideas. Whilst songs like the ten-minute Dead Offering have the potential to reach out and garner the attention of those more attuned to the Neoclassical Dark Wave or Gothic genres. Definitely a concept album, and one that should only really be listened to in its entirety rather than broken down into individual tracks. 7/10

Rob Dyer (December 2011)

"Nightfall Prayers" (Album, 2009)

Cykxincorp Records

If Jarvis Cocker recorded an album inspired by 70s prog rock it might sound like this. Coming across like the soundtrack to a surreal dream, this intriguing album from Frenchman ‘LSK’ features cellos, squeeking fret work, pipe organ sounds and Romany violins to good effect. It rarely raises its pace above that of above a heartbeat and when it does on Me, Myself and I it has as much in common with 60s psyche as it does 70s art rock. That they’ve supported The Legendary Pink Dots on tour must be some independent measure of quality. One of the unsolicited items that often appear in the dsoaudio post box, this debut was followed up last year by a second album Night at the Catacombs, and a third album entitled Wisteria Lodge was recorded earlier this year. I might just have to do some soliciting. 7/10

Rob Dyer (November 2010)