Lantlos is finally back.
Formed in 2005, the project by Markus Skye (vocals/keyboards/guitar/bass, Labyrinth of Stars) and Felix Wylezik (drums) had been quiet since its last release in 2021. In 2026, it returns with its sixth album, Nowhere in Between Forever.
Daisies is the first track to kick things off, and to say the least, between its half-trippy, half-abrasive foundation, electronic elements, and vocal parts, it’s deeply rooted in sonic experimentation. You can feel both the aggression and the underlying, almost tranquil side, which is also reflected in Cherries’ Post-Punk accents, a fairly mellow track that follows immediately, delivering plenty of acoustic tones. The atmosphere radically shifts with Oxygen, which is much livelier and even features aggressive drum parts and chaotic vocal passages, much like Jeanet, which takes a similar approach while continuing to intensify the robotic elements and vocoder. We find the Post-Punk influences on Numb TV Superstar again, but vocals remain once more very soft and benefit from electronic drums to add extra energy; however, the sound intensifies with Solar Death, which is layered with simple yet ultra-saturated Doom touches that give it a suffocating charm. The track’s length also plays a significant role, but the duo returns to its cheerful tones with AutoGuard, the next track, which creates a sharp contrast between the two compositions, like two sides of the same personality. Another 180-degree turn with Planets” which returns to post-rock and its interesting yet always surprising progression, before shifting back to Electro for Ghost, which nonetheless features a rather unsettling and mysterious atmosphere, almost melancholic at times. The track’s final minute reinforces this in every way, then Clockworks brings us back to haunting tones, even allowing Markus to torment his guitar with a few tortured leads before gently drifting into Windhunter, which blends a calm groove and soaring keyboards with some much heavier and more intense passages, ultimately closing the album on a high note.
Early Lantlos fans will undoubtedly be disappointed, and even though I’m one of them, I find there are some interesting tracks on Nowhere in Between Forever. The band has completed its evolution, and its style is once again quite unique.
65/100