TEMPORA MUTANTUR

Tempora Mutantur is Lunar's 4th studio album and a conceptual work. The title itself, which in Latin means "The times change," already suggests the central theme, which is the inevitability of change throughout life. Each track on the album represents different stages of transformation, both personal and natural, using the seasons of the year as a metaphor for emotional and existential changes. The cycle of the seasons summer, autumn, winter, and spring reflects moments of conflict, introspection, loss, and renewal.

"A Summer To Forget" is the track that opens the album and sets the tone for the entire journey. It develops in an engaging way, starting melodically but gradually transforming into denser and heavier passages. This progression showcases a band balancing introspective and atmospheric moments with bursts of visceral intensity. It is also worth highlighting the fusion between clean and guttural vocals that intensify the sense of internal conflict.

"Fall Back Into Old Habits" is the longest track on the album, allowing the band to explore their progressive capabilities in a broad way. Composed of intricate sections, the piece exemplifies the group's ability to transition between different moods and emotions throughout its expansive structure. The song features Wayne Ingram on solo guitar, adding depth to the instrumental moments. The track unfolds dynamically, alternating introspective and subtle passages with intense, more explosive sections.

"Seasonal Interlude" is a song divided into two distinct parts, with the first half being more serene and the second featuring heavier instrumentation. At the beginning, the song relies on ethereal keyboards and clean guitars, creating a delicate soundscape, while the soft and melodic vocals evoke a contemplative tone. Then, this calmness is interrupted as the track moves into its second half, bringing with it an energy that intensifies with heavy riffs, guttural vocals, and dense instrumentation. The use of saxophone in this section helps build an unexpected and experimental layer of sound.

"Weakening Winter Touch" starts with a melancholic atmosphere sustained by guitar and keyboard textures, thus creating an introspective mood. As the song progresses, the instrumentation becomes progressively more intense, incorporating heavy riffs, imposing keyboard solos, complex rhythms, and some dynamic changes. The track captures the sense of an inevitable transition, where the intense cold begins to give way to the promise of a new season.

"Spring In My Step," released as a single, represents one of the most vibrant and optimistic moments of Tempora Mutantur. It was even described by drummer Alex Bosson as one of the happiest tracks on the album, being a song that celebrates the feeling of renewal in spring ? that emerges after turbulent periods in winter. More optimistic melodies permeate the entire track even in the guttural vocal sections contrasting with the more melancholic tone of previous songs. However, even with this more accessible approach, the band maintains a balance between technique and emotion.

"Tempora Mutantur: Part I - Passage of Time" is an extremely emotional piece, where the melancholic piano and emotive vocals are the main ingredients in creating an atmosphere that leads to reflection on the passage of time. The special guest appearances of Sam Vallen (Caligula's Horse) and Brory Gage on guitar and harmonica, respectively, occur at key moments, adding textures that elevate the music to an almost celestial sound.

"Tempora Mutantur: Part II - Broken Pendulum" continues the suite, delving deeper into the exploration of the concept of temporal imbalance. The track begins from the idea of instability through alternating irregular rhythms and dissonant melodies. It is a journey that swings between moments of chaos and attempts to find balance, where the alternating styles of vocals, rhythms, and harmonies create a complex texture and expand the album's narrative about transition, challenges, and the constant transformations that shape our existence.

"Tempora Mutantur: Part III - Watch The Weather Change" closes the album with a reflection on the inevitability of change and the acceptance of constant transformations. The guitar riff is excellent, while the fusion of clean and guttural vocals stands out as one of the most striking points of the track, representing the balance between extremes. Overall, the track brings a mix of heaviness and a very melodic chorus, providing an interesting contrast between initial optimism and the reality of frustrations.

Although it is not an album with unique musicality or innovative elements which is common in progressive metal in Tempora Mutantur, the band demonstrated the ability to combine lyrical narrative with some excellent musical landscapes, thus creating an emotional auditory experience. Overall, the album is an exploration of seasonal and personal changes presented through the lens of progressive metal.

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