ALBUM REVIEW: Judas – Lord of the Lost

Religion is an area of society that will always produce exquisite, artistic responses. Whether delving deep into particular texts, challenging long-held views or striking back against those who abuse their faiths in the pursuit of power, the construct is a paradise for anyone and everyone to interpret. German metal outfit LORD OF THE LOST have done just that on seventh record Judas, out on July 2nd via Napalm Records. As the title suggest, this conceptual double album looks at Judas Iscariot, the disciple who famously betrayed Christ, but in particular his so-called Gospel that casts an entirely different light on the events of that time so famously described in the New Testament.

LORD OF THE LOST are absolutely no strangers to double concept albums – this is the third successive studio record to fall into that category. But whereas they journeyed through a sci-fi apocalypse on 2016’s Empyrean or the ancient Pangaeian civilisation on 2018’s Thornstar, this album will appeal to a much wider audience given the well-known figure it’s centred around. The first side of Judas, entitled Damnation, is more in line with the classic, canonical events of surrounds Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion.

From the line “I was born to be a traitor” in the pounding opening track Priest, this side of the album is what most of us are aware of Judas Iscariot; that he was corrupted by Satan, handed over Jesus to the Romans for thirty pieces of silver, then hanged himself in the Field of Blood. Whether this is portrayed through the overblown chorals in For They Know What They Do, the TYPE-O NEGATIVE tinged 2000 Years a Pyre or the raw, stripped back approach on closing number The Death of All Colours, this is dripping in cheese and bombast, but it does enough to stay on the more serious side of such metal and therefore doesn’t undermine the story being told.

The second side of Judas, however, is called Salvation, and this is where the Gospel of Judas begins to take precedence as a subject matter. The opening song, also titled The Gospel of Judas, is underpinned by a thumping, industrial guitar riff and a sonorous gang vocal cry of “Judas!” that mirrors the chants of “Priest!” from the opening track of Damnation. Bringing forward the view that Judas was actually Christ’s most learned disciple and assigned the task of ‘handing over’ the Messiah to the Romans, rather than outright betraying him, this naturally makes Salvation a more upbeat side in terms of lyrics, but the music remains relatively reflective, symphonic and stuffed with pomp and circumstance. One might have liked more of a stylistic change, but LORD OF THE LOST stick to their guns and give more fist-pumping in And It Was Night, stomp throughout Iskarioth and another emotive ending as Work of Salvation closes the book on another saga, “he was our light/he shone so bright” a refrain to confront everything we thought we knew about one of history’s most decisive characters.

Clocking in at over 104 minutes, Judas is a mammoth record to take in, demanding your attention at all times; it’s certainly not something you can merely have on in the background. However, for those who like a challenge, the music of H.I.M and UNTO OTHERS and/or an interest into the ‘other side’ of Biblical texts, this will be a rewarding, if time-consuming listen.

Rating: 7/10

Judas is set for release on July 2nd via Napalm Records.

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