Frostmoon Eclipse - The End Stands Silent (2011)

Back in 2007 I properly introduced myself to the music of Frostmoon Eclipse, through their then new album, 'Another Face Of Hell,' which still to this day is a bit of a favorite of mine. Four years later these Italian's return with a new record deal (previously on ISO666) through, Osmose Productions and a new full-length titled, 'The End Stands Silent.'

The End Stands Silent continues in the familiar Frostmoon Eclipse style, which is basically mid-paced to fast melodic black-ish metal interlaced with lots of acoustic guitar passages. Some times the guitars are layered directly over the metal chaos and sometimes the black metal fades away and the acoustics are purely heard on their own. The acoustics tend to be the highlight within their work and it goes without saying that Claudio Alcara is a brilliant guitarist, but the mid-paced/speedier metal moments shouldn't be disregarded since his work during these sections are almost always melodic and full of character and even when they are not there is a sense of rage and good energy present too. I always like it when bands segue between brutal moments and slower passages and Frostmoon Eclipse has always excelled at this.

As for favorites, 'Corridors' really sticks out with completely infectious guitar melodies throughout it and with just a perfect flow to the song, which not many bands always know how to do, especially when it comes to longer songs like the ones Frostmoon write on this album. 'Under Pale City Lights' is also impressive with again great guitar work, but it also feels like this is the most energetic and catchy song on the album, but my overall favorite is definitely, 'Unnatural Isolation.' The first couple minutes of this song are just acoustic guitar, drums and spoken word, but as the song continues onwards it builds up in an almost epic manner and a hauntingly heavy memorable riff kicks in and the vocals crossover to Lorenzo’s hard driven fierce screams when it reaches its peak, but then returns to its calmer manner and eventually back to its harder edge once more.

I was however sort of disappointed that there wasn't a shorter full on acoustic piece like most of the bands previous work, but perhaps Claudio's saving those for his Stroszek project now. At seven songs total and a little over an hours these are the longest songs Frostmoon has ever wrote too with each one being over seven minutes, except, 'A Clandestine Freedom Between Shadows,' which is a little under six minutes, but its also the albums fastest song.

All in all though between great musicianship, interesting lyrics, diverse vocals and good flowing song writing Frostmoon Eclipse triumphs again, yet I get the feeling this album hasn't been properly promoted, which is unfortunate. Still, if melodic black metal with acoustics is your thing you'll definitely want to pick this great new album up.

I Hope for Nothing.I Fear Nothing. I Am Free.