Album Review: Lokust – Infidel (Self Released)

The long-awaited debut album of tech-death and groove metal band, Lokust will be released on July 28th, 2023. Called ‘Infidel’, it pre-empts their much-anticipated appearance at Bloodstock 2023.

We’re not a fan of using the term ‘next big thing’ because what the hell does it even mean and does it really matter when it comes to the current music industry landscape? Yet, it’s certainly something that comes to mind when listening to Infidel. Few bands can leave the impression that Lokust do with their debut release.

They may have taken their time to get here, but the wait was worthwhile as this is an exceptionally refined release. Featuring nine beastly tech-death and groove heavy tracks, alongside an intro and an intermission (of sorts), Infidel is non-stop excitement from the first track to the last.

The beast has woken as Lokust let the riffs fly with the aggressive The Sin of Doubt. Then follow that up with a blistering showcase of speed, intensity, technicality, and progressive ideas with Parasitic. Before Guiltless shows off some impressive thrashiness, has a wicked guitar solo, and finds Lokust in an even more manic mood.

Each track as anthemic as the last, but they’re only getting started.

Anima is up next and Lokust up the tempo yet again with some of the most chaotic instrumentation and vocals of the record so far. Then the groove freaking hits, there is some epic clean singing, and this song transforms into something even more spectacular. Following that slice of brilliance, War of Opposites has a tough task but once again, some purposeful intensity and an infectious chorus make it another winning track.

(Futile) is the intermission, a moody instrumental, but the breath is taken away again by the brilliant Vilified. A track that has Lokust scowling (even more), playing at an inhuman speed, and creating an orgy of violence. Following that, it’s the album ‘epic’ with Jinn. A near-eight progressively tinged blast that oozes darkness, it is a giant of a track and ebbs and flows brilliantly.

Finally, it’s two more massive efforts with Eradication One and Sacrosanct. Both lengthy efforts again, but with varying degrees of brutish heaviness and groove grandness. Lokust putting the final stamp of quality on this album with these two heavyweight listens.

Lokust have arrived and the world is their’s for the taking.

Lokust – Infidel Track Listing:

1. (March)
2. The Sin of Doubt
3. Parasitic
4. Guiltless
5. Anima
6. War of Opposites
7. (Futile)
8. Vilified
9. Jinn
10. Eradication One
11. Sacrosanct

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