Lalu - A Mythmaker's Demise Lalu

"Lalu returns with “A Mythmaker’s Demise”, a milestone release celebrating the 20th anniversary of Vivien Lalu’s progressive rock project. What began in 2005 with “Oniric Metal” now comes full circle—this is not just a new album, but a bold tribute to legacy, craftsmanship, and artistic brotherhood. To mark the occasion, Lalu reunites with vocalist Martin LeMar (Mekong Delta, Tomorrow’s Eve), whose voice first defined the project. LeMar contributes powerful performances and lyricism that bridge past and present. Also making a triumphant return is drumming legend Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Protocol), the very first drummer to record the earliest Lalu track, “Paint the Sky”. Continuing the collaborative spirit ignited in 2022’s “The Fish Who Wanted To Be King”, Vivien Lalu teams up once again with longtime partner Joop Wolters on guitars and bass. The duo crafted the songs from the ground up, focusing on organic, dynamic arrangements with no overproduction—just raw, honest performances. The album was mixed to preserve a live, open sound, capturing the human energy of each take. Special guests on the album include Virgil Donati (Asia, ex-Planet X, Steve Vai), who delivers an electrifying performance on the instrumental bonus version of “EKO”, and Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, ex-Malmsteen) who contributes blazing keyboard solos on four tracks. Both artists previously collaborated on Atomic Ark and Paint the Sky, and their return underlines the commemorative nature of this album. The evocative title “A Mythmaker’s Demise” reflects on the fading light of human imagination in the age of artificial intelligence. The striking artwork by Mattias Norén portrays a writer dying at his desk, while his creations struggle to escape into a world that no longer values them—a visual metaphor for the album’s deeper message. “A Mythmaker’s Demise” isn’t just an album—it’s a time capsule of progressive rock’s soul, 20 years in the making."