Lago – Vigil
Release Date: 8th May 2026
Label: Everlasting Spew Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Immolation, Altars, Gorguts, Replicant, Teeth.
Review By: Aeons Burning
Slow down there, Kemosabe. I know you see those FFOs and think “more dissoshit? I’m clicking away from this review.” First of all, you suck if you hate dissonant stuff. Secondly, Lago really only adapts from Altars, Gorguts, and Replicant rather than blend their own style of gnarled riffs into the mix. They’re about as dissonant as Immolation is. That being said, Lago make a really, REALLY good blend of Immolation worship. Their last album Sea of Duress was my first exposure to them and made me a fan pretty much instantly, since like any good death metal fan, I’m big into Immolation and anything that sounds like them. Third album Vigil is of course more Immolation, but like, the best era: Close to a World Below, and the result is a very infectious record that makes me want to spin it over and over again.
There’s no need for intros or interludes on Vigil, and Lago, being the riff-meisters they are, know not to waste your time and instead begin by pummeling in your skull with opener Behold, Ruin. Even though we just got a new Immolation record last month, Lago show that worshipping a beloved death metal act just makes more great death metal, and I don’t doubt Vigil will appeal to fans of this style. Further choice cuts from Vigil just show off the beloved Immolation school of ass-kicking riffs, with In a House of Ill Repute sounding like a bonus track from Close to a World Below and following that with Kingdom Without Pulse, bringing in some nasty chugs to crush you. Fans of pinch harmonics rejoice, because they’re everywhere on Vigil, either between the spidery fiery solos courtesy of lead axeman Gus Barr or peppered amongst the riffs like airbursting mortar strikes. The result is a potent cocktail of a crisp 42-minute record that doesn’t let up.
Lago is fantastic. They feel fresh, even though they worship at the altar of Immolation. Vigil is going to be a hard-hitter in May, and we’re primed to get some equally heavy hitters as the month goes on, but death metal fans who want nothing but the choicest cuts, look no further because Lago is seriously top-shelf stuff. Vigil is going into my personal rotation for easily the rest of the year, and I cannot wait to hear more. Don’t miss this!
(4 / 5)
