Review from Kaleidoscope magazine (UK) 18/2004 by Mike Francis,editor

ĽAHKA MUZA – „V Zablesku Vecnosti“ / In a Flash of Eternity (Dangus)

This is Ľahka Muza`s (who come from Slovakia) fifth album and is a powerful and stirring release. Liking singer Gudrun`s voice to that of Diamanda Galas might be a cliched comparison but in its use, range and power there is a striking similarity (there is also visual similarity between two singers as well...). The only other singer I would draw a comparison with is Ataraxia`s Francesca Nicoli. The music is equally compelling with again certain parallels to Ataraxia`s harsher material, although Ľahka Muza have more contemporary , more metal edge to them. Both bands however revel in the freedom and creative directions that expressive music can take them. The lyrics are all in Slovakian (I assume – certainly not English anyway) though the song titles are translated into English on the cover. Apparently they are largely inspired by a paganist approach to the natural powers and delights of the elements, and presented in a Taoist poetry style – i.e. without rhyming couples or traditional song structures. If you want an image with which to imagine what this music sounds like, and it is as much a visual and aural experience, then picture an Ancient European dark goddess standing on a mountain top summoning the power of the mountains and thunder to materialize around her in homage to the bleak beauty of a post-apocalypse morning! – Mike

Lahka Muza - In a flash of eternity (cd Dangus) , Side Line magazine , Belgium

Nearly 4 years after their previous album on Black Flames Records, the Czech LM moved to a Lithuanian label. 2004 marks the 20th anniversary of this band’s birthday. It’s just a pity that they’re still familiar to the wider fields of underground music. The enigmatic and bewitching vocals of their sexy female singer Gudrun, remains one of the main aspects of this formation. Gudrun sounds like the soul of her band, while musically speaking, this new album is a perfect mix of good-old new wave and ritual music marked by orchestral outbursts. The way of playing the guitar and the atmosphere running through the songs constantly remind me to the great Virgin Prunes. Tracks like “Heading”, “The story of sorrow” and “Inside the circle” are excellent illustrations of their new-wave inspiration. I like the fact that they also take care to inject a very own element, which is this kind of esoteric sound that sounds like mysterious red line in their songs. Goddess Gudrun accentuates this aspect by the single force of her voice! She’s like an icon of sensuality, guiding her band to a sacred rite. I would like to see this band moving on stage, being convinced they perfectly combine power, efficiency and sensuality all together!

By Cedric , (DP:6/7)

 Lahka Muza: Cesty svetla plynu temnotou CD ,Black FLames,2000 Phosphor,Berlin

The Slowakian formation exists since 1984. And although they released a new wave album Schizofónia in 1988, they never found their way to the western world. Their sound slowly evolved in the direction of industrial. Albums like Nevinnost (1990) and Tieco Bolisti (1992) show this process. The fourth release, released by the label Indies Records entitled Chvenie Absolutna (1995) was more atmospheric. Ritual rhythms were added on Sen Ohraniceneho Zivota (1998) and still the band did not get the reputation they deserved. Things changed than, foreign magazins, for instance from Poland, USA and Germany start interviewing and reviewing the band and L'ahká Múza played at the Gotik Treffen in 2002 and hope to be invited to play at this important event in 2004. L'ahka Muza has called their latest album The way of the light goes through the darkness, which is already an implication what to expect. L'ahká Múza combine Gudrun's amazing vocals, which vary from crystal clear to dark and warm, with powerful bombastic synths, drums and swirling guitars. Their excellent sound is quite ritual, reminding of a crossover between Mynox Layh, Sigmund und sein Freund and early Ain Soph. The lyrics in Gudrun's mother tongue give the music an even more mysterious atmosphere. Quite a few tracks will do very well at electro/gothic dance parties, due to the driving rhythms. Let's hope L'ahka Muza will get the break-through they deserve, their music is of a high quality and original.

Lahka Muza ::: "Sen Ohraniceneho Zivota" 1998,Sonica, Blatant Propaganda,Australia

I've been listening to this over and over again. A real gem. From the heart of Translyvania and Bohemia, Lahka Muza present their very grand and majestic incantations. This album is like a soundtrack to an ancient ritual that summons all the forces of nature to come and assist you in your battles. Ritualistic, minimal and spell-binding music, is overlaid with soaring and ethereal gothic, semi-operatic female vocals, sung in Slovakian. The music conjures up images of secret tunnels to the middle of the earth, or perhaps, to the centre of your soul? A journey through a hell within, the exhaustion and despair, and to a resurrection of greater strength and wisdom. Fans of early Cranes will love this, as the minimal and brooding nature of the music is very similar in mood. However, the female vocals of Lahka Muza are strikingly different: full, mature, crooning, brooding and passionate, a far cry from the Cranes. The minimalistic bass-heavy music also reminds me of Laibach's theatrical albums "Krst Pod Triglavom" and "Macbeth"; old favourites of mine. If you're a fan of gothic-darkwave-ritualistic music, then you must hear this. Music that grabs you and takes you. 8 tracks span 37 minutes. Very highly recommended !


LAHKÁ MÚZA - Sen Ohraniceného Zivota. 1998, (Sonnica) Krepuskulum,Brazilia

This CD is a dream, a trip to the abissals profundities of the spirit. Female singer GUDRUN'S voice invades us and it takes us to an astral trance, your oniric voice is a portal for occult dimensions.Your music is an union of gothic, avantgarde, mantras, progressive rock, industrial, synth black metal and references to the alchemy, to the point arts and the artists' post-humanity as Stelarc, H.R. Giger, Lovecraft. Organs and sound subtileness seem to place us in a light ritual, the echo makes the music to sound as inside a cathedral. We are in a sacred ritual in some moments and in other we are in a Sabbatical profane ritual. Mysticism, lust, sweetness, death and it shines, eternity light. It is a divine dream from beyond...Cosmic alchemists from Slovakia!!! MARVELOUSSSSSS!!!!      

Review from Dark Velvet magazine (USA) 3/1999

Lahka Muza – Sen Ohraniceneho Zivota, 1998,Sonicca

Chances are you´ve never heard of Lahka Muza from Slovakia . They are a new find for everyone here at Dark Velvet and what a wonderful find it is ! Remember the early days of dead Can Dance ? Remember when 4AD was at it´s zenith? I vividly remember both of these and had Lahka Muza been around then,they would been right there with the best of them. Gudrun, the very attractive female vocalist, is the leader of this outfit and here vision is a dark one. One trip through the lyric book and you know that she is singing about the darkside. The music, often minimalistic and militaristic feeling at time, is tight and offers a range of moods that compliment Gudrun´s amazing vocals…she has the range of Lisa Gerrard and the deathly sound of Ordo Equitum Solis .Instruments used on this recording include, but aren´t limited to, drum machine, electric guitar, and organ style keyboard . And, while could go through the merits of each song, I won´t because you can take me at my word that every song here is gothic “compilation” material and that fact alone marks the almost classic nature of this band´s work. Also, I could compare this amazing music with so many other acts, but in truth many other acts pale in comparison to the work of this band .Look for an interview in the Summer 1999 issue!