Comprising the immense talents of Bezaelith (BOTANIST, MINA LOY, THE NIGHT FALLS) and Otrebor (BOTANIST, ORDO OBSIDIUM), LOTUS THIEF weave a compelling union of metal, space rock, and ambient sounds, all with the purpose to pass along the knowledge of superlative ancient texts. Although both members play in the critically acclaimed BOTANIST, LOTUS THIEF is to be viewed as its own separate entity.
"Rervm" is a concept record based on Lucretius' De Rerum Natura, a 1st century BCE didactic poem that grazed the ideas of the universality of energy, atomism, rational thought over superstition, and free love - all in classic dactylic hexameter. "Nothing from nothing ever yet was born" is the line taken from Lucretius' work that Lotus Thief channels the most, serving as the project's raison d'etre. De Rerum Natura's six books were each given their own tracks out of respect to the intended progression of the original texts. Indeed, "Rervm"'s intent is to carry the principal ideas of the text into song, and through sound, to take the listener on the 2,000-year old journey of a poet and philosopher poised within the universal human condition and the antithetic intelligence and ignorance of Ancient Rome. Each poem is distilled down song for song, to the philosopher's basic pleas for reason and the quest for understanding the natural world.
Review
The brains behind this, Bezaelith, gives Jarboe a run for her money with her ethereal, majestic delivery. She contributes everything present on this record except for the drums, which are supplied by her co-conspirator, Otrebor of black metal band Botanist fame... This is a fantastic album in the true spirit of the San Francisco music scene - left of centre, forward thinking and inspired - well worth forking out your money to hear this in its glory. Certainly an auspicious start to this fledgling band's career. - Cvlt Nation 4/5
