Nashville, Tennessee isn’t exactly (or at least as far as I know) a hotbed for black metal or really any dark music in general. This is however the origin of Chaos Moon and its sole creator who goes by the name of Esoterica. Formed back in 2004, Esoterica was quick to release a demo and EP the same year and in 2007 released both this album and a few months later its counter album titled, 'Languor into Echoes, Beyond.' On this particular release M.H. of Nostalgia fame also joins Esoterica by adding vocals on two songs and helping out with some keyboards.
Chaos Moon’s music is a type of fast chaotic raw black metal with a brilliant underscore of atmospheric keyboards beneath the bedlam, but the bands music is certainly not limited to this style since there are some doom and even shoegaze like elements here and there. ‘And So Are The Words That Never Made It part I’ is a good example where the music takes a turn towards the doomy suicidal black metal area, but its really on part II where this band displays an immense sound. On this song absolutely beautiful keyboards and piano take the center stage alongside a highly melancholic piece of black metal art that I utterly adore. I honestly wouldn't hesitate to declare this as one of the most atmospheric and moving pieces of black metal I've personally ever heard. ‘Intro, Timeless Disease’ is also a very good instrumental track with great keyboard work and raw guitars. Besides this there are also some purely ambient moments, which add even darker atmosphere to this incredible release.
Esoterica’s vocals mostly appear in the form of screechy high pitched wails of anguish not unlike Varg Vikernes’ and although they seem a bit uncomfortable at first they do tend to sink in after a few listens to the album. M.H.’s voice appears in a sinister spoken tone on ‘Pale Cast Of Thought’ and the title track he adds some backing screams. The drums as far as I can tell are programmed, although it seems a real drummer has joined the band recently. The guitars also have the typical black metal buzzing rawness in place and it sounds quite admirable and well done the whole way.
As a whole this is a highly atmospheric and at times melancholic piece of black metal well worth investigating. Chaos Moon is another stunning band within the American black metal scene that is not to be missed.
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