I had no idea when Napalm announced that Lord of the Lost had recorded a trilogy of 33 songs, that each album would be released so close to one another. Just four months after the release of Opvs Noir Vol 1, we have Opvs Noir Vol 2, and it’s right on time for stock stuff season. Vol 1 was my introduction to this one-time Eurovision finalist, and I came away impressed.
So, I was very excited to see this in the idleness of the December promo cab. With the quick release of Vol 2, I can only assume that Lord of the Lost wrote all 33 songs of the trilogy together, in Lord of the Rings style. One hopes that Chris Harms and the crew will be able to maintain the same level of quality with which the trilogy began.
Opvs Noir Vol 2 delivers what one would expect as a follow-up to Vol 1, only it’s more consistent. From start to finish, Lord of the Lost deliver melancholy gothic/industrial metal with strong doses of pop. The tracks announce their gothic intentions with plenty of mournful strings, pianos, synthesizers, even some organs, not to mention Harms himself, whose voice exudes goth vibes. Compared to Vol 1, the guest spots are more limited and the tracks don’t stray far from the Lord of the Lost formula. Two guests, however, are the exception. One is the manic Finnish rapper Käärijä, whose fame stems from second place at Eurovision in 2023 for his song “Cha Cha Cha“. He provides an energetic rap solo on the techno-industrial dance track “Raveyard,” which will surely divide people, but there’s no doubt he’s having fun. However, Lena Scissorhands of Infected Rain takes the cake on “Would You Walk with Me Through Hell.” She and Harms prove perfect as they alternate cleans and growls, leading to an explosive finale that kicks the album off with force.
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Through the lyrics and a softer sound, Lord of the Lost reveal their sensitive side. The strong presence of piano lends to this softness, from the piano ballad “One of Us Will Be Next” to the piano opening of the more gripping “Scarlight.” Don’t mistake sensitivity for weakness, however – these two tracks are absolutely stunning. The soft opening of “Scarlight” makes it even more powerful when it bursts into a catchy and moving chorus. Harms sings with empathy “Tell me your fears, take all the time you need” in a way that melts and at the same time fills your heart. However, that melody is surpassed by the moving “One of Us Will Be Next,” which will make you tear up while singing with a thunderous voice. Be careful of your surroundings, however, as you may draw stares when you utter that the next thing one of us will do is die. The combination of well-written lyrics, moving vocal performances and cinematic orchestral passages creates a heartfelt, touching record.
Greater consistency proves to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it leads to a more cohesive album, but on the other, it’s an approach that avoids risk. The middle of Opvs Noir Vol 2 gets stuck on a few tracks that, while quite good, play it a little too safe (“The Last Star,” “What Have We Become”). The variety on Vol 1 made it more exciting to listen to throughout, however Vol 2 feels more like a Lord of the Lost record. And some of these “safer” songs are still gripping thanks to Harms’ charisma. He charms on the minimalist finale, “Sharp Edges,” with his tenor and his rhythm. Similarly, “Winter’s Dying Heart” transforms into a wonderful ballad thanks to the combination of symphonic music, heavy guitar rhythms and Harms’ performance. Vol 2 feels more mature despite being only a few months older, and while maturity can sound like a code word for boring, here it lends a greater passion.
Despite having the same rating, I’ll rank it slightly below Opvs Noir Vol 1. While on Vol 1, Lord of the Lost was the most popular album, Vol 2 sits firmly in the very good category. I prefer the variety on the previous album, but I also appreciate the fewer guest appearances on this one, which gives us a better picture of Lord of the Lost‘s identity. Moreover, nothing on Vol 1 is as strong as “One of Us Will Be Next,” which will surely claim its place as the song of the year. Considering how consistently good the Opvs Noir albums have been so far, I look forward to the final release, which will come out, perhaps, in just a few months.
Rating : 3.5/5.0
DR : N/A | Format reviewed : Streaming
Record label : Napalm Records
Websites : Bandcamp | Facebook | Official website
Worldwide releases : December 12, 2025
The review was written by Angry metal guy.
https://www.angrymetalguy.com/lord-of-the-lost-opvs-noir-vol-2-review/
