I’ve known about the German black metal band Secrets of the Moon for a few years now, but honestly I never heard them until they were playing in front of me as openers for Moonspell back in October. As drunk as I was at this particular show it didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying these guys and really appreciating the fact that they came all the way from Germany to play in this dinky pool hall for us.
At any rate these Germans play a sort of occult and progressive-esque black metal that’s full of both eerie and headbanging guitar melodies, mystifying atmospheres, tribal percussion, choral chanting and decent lead vocal work. All of the songs are long (over seven minutes) except for the two instrumentals which serve as intro and intermezzos from the action. Collectively the whole thing clocks in at sixty five minutes and I must admit there are some parts that seem a little dragged out (The intro of Track 5 as an example) but nevertheless this record is enjoyable. The production is also top notch crystal clear, which as I hear is quite different from the bands earlier work, but I don’t think conservative black metal fans will mind too much.
I find that it’s hard to pick a candid favorite from this album as each song has some interesting characteristics, moments and even catchiness in them and you really have to listen to the album a good handful or so times before the thing really clicks with you. As a whole though I find it hard to describe this album and it’s really just one of those releases you’ll have to hear to understand. It may not be the best black metal album of 2009 but at least for me it’s been an interesting introduction to the music of Secrets of the Moon.
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