The Christian Metal Scene lost one its giants last week. Abel Gomez, founding member (guitar and vocals) died in his sleep Friday, September 18th, of natural causes. He died way too young and will be missed by family, friends, and fans alike. While I never met Abel personally, we did correspond by email over the years and even traded music from time to time.
Lament was quite possibly the most famous and most prominent Christian metal band from Mexico, coming to us from the Mexico City area. The band was one of the most creative in our scene, dabbling in thrash, death metal, folk metal, and progressive sounds throughout their career. Even the famous mainstream database Metal Archives had to list multiple genres when describing the band.
My favorite album from the band, and probably their most critically-acclaimed (though not necessarily their most popular) was their sophomore effort Through the Reflection. After their debut Tears of a Leper spawned a thrash/death hybrid not too unlike early Seventh Angel, the band took things in a completely different direction. Tears was a fantastic album, and it would have been easy for them to play it safe and continue in the style, but what they unleashed next could not have been predicted.
Through the Reflection is an amalgam of melodic death metal and strong folk influences. Clear Latin American overtones are detected in the rhythms and chord structures, something lacking in previous efforts. Rather than simply plodding underneath the guitars as part the rhythm section, the bass guitar was frequently used as a melodic instrument. This is going to be the weirdest comparison ever, but on Reflection the band used the bass guitar much like Peter Hook did in New Order, or the double-bassist attack of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, but bringing that type of voice to death metal instead of synth-pop or indie rock. The album’s strength is its originality, combined with its true musicality.
I don’t know what the band’s plans will be without their founder–whether they will decide to carry on, or go in different directions. Rumor has it that there is a nearly-finished album that will see the light of day. However, what we do know is that Abel leaves a powerful legacy behind–both in in the Christian metal scene, as well as with those who knew him best.
My favorite song from the band is the title track from Through the Reflection, and the lyrics are astoundingly appropriate given our sad news:
In the reflection, all I can see is the
vain face of loneliness
Hate reigns in my eyes
Fed by the anger.
I want to wake up
I want to wake up in Heaven
the place mom told me about
the place where she´s gone to
where my dreams
where my dreams live forever
where my dreams live forever
where my dreams live!
What would life be like?
Without taunting?
What is it like?
Not to hear their laughter?
Mother, you´ll only know
mother you´ll only know.
Love is gone, love has left my hands
gone to the place where my dreams
live
the reflection wakes me up to the place
mother i forgive you for giving life in this world
Today I go back to their mocking
in times of trouble
your loving memory defends me
I remember you…
Your beauty inside me…
