Reviews

Mournful Moon - "Twilight, My Passion" LP
(2025; His Wounds/GoatowaRex)
[Taken from Spectral Sorcery, Issue #7, Spring MMXXV A.Y.P.S.]

Modern Hellenic legend MOURNFUL MOON returned this year, after releasing the classic “...As Shadows Fall Over Zenitheaen” and a debut full-length three years ago. This time, the style has shifted even further in the gothic metal direction, while of course still retaining the signature triumphant synthwork and flowing guitar riffage which define M.M.’s work. The synths overlayed on top of and in sync with the lead guitars really elevates the melodies and makes it stand out from other more generic black metal. It’s honestly more of a symphonic gothic metal work with some black metal influence especially with the vocals and drums. The vocals are sick and nasty, and the drums are played live with ample skill and precision, playing blastbeats and slow sections and everything in between. There’s nothing terribly experimental or extreme (in fact it’s a rather tame style), but it’s nonetheless heavy and very well put together. The compositions flow nicely from one to the next with good track sequencing to allow each song to stand on its own while still retaining an identity as part of the whole album. This band fills the void left after the decline of the Y2K-era gothic black metal that won the mainstream over after crawling out of the underground. Total support! -Lolth


HAEMOPTYSIS/EYES IN DARKNESS WITHOUT FORM/YEW/CALLING OF PHASMIC PRESENCE - “Cadavre Exquis: Faces of the Drawn and Quartered Moon” Split
(2024; Malevolent Relics)
[Taken from Spectral Sorcery, Issue #6, Winter MMXXV A.Y.P.S.]

Malevolent Relics is the new home for the best experimental dark music being crafted in the modern era. All of the acts on their roster are selection with extreme discretion, and they all fit together with a cohesive—but not too samey—artistic vision. Cadavre Exquis is a four-part work, with each of the bands contributing one of the movements. We open with a track by HAEMOPTYSIS, a haunting cacophony of noise and black soundscapes. I wouldn’t call it black metal per se, but it definitely appeals to that style. As with much of the rest of this split, it feels like something in the vein of Les Legiones Noires, specifically the more experimental projects like TORTURE or AÄKON KËËTRËH. This sets the stage very aptly for the following three tracks, which range in style but all convey the same dark occult mood. Broken harpsichords and whirling organs sound over discordant guitars and plodding drums. Eerie is the best word I could use to describe this album. It’s ABRUPTUM meets BRENORITVREZORKRE and everything in between and some other shit too. Everyone involved has something uniquely strange and abrasive to offer. I honestly can’t recommend this enough. -Lolth