Lightless Moor – “The Poem – Crying My Grief to A Feeble Dawn” (2013)
Label: Dreamcell 11/Wormholedeath/Aural Music
Review by Tony Cannella
From Italy, the Gothic Doom Metal band Lightless Moor formed in 2001. After their initial EP “Renewal” was released in 2006, they recently signed to the up-and-coming label WormHoleDeath and it is through that label that they have released their long awaited epic debut, “The Poem – Crying My Grief to a Feeble Dawn”. With a name like Lightless Moor and judging by some of the song titles, it is easy to see that lyrically they explore the darker side of life and the music provides the perfect soundtrack.
The ominously eerie intro segues into the heavy doom-laden opening track “The Lyrics of the Journey”. Lightless Moor utilizes two lead vocalists. Continue reading »
Ivalys – “Lumen” (2013)
Label: Dreamcell 11/Wormholedeath/Aural Music
Review by Tony Cannella
The French metal band Ivalys already made a mark with their impressive EP “Words in Time” last year. Now with their debut full-length, “Lumen”, Ivalys returns with an even higher level of confidence and power. The songs on “Lumen” are heavy, whilst still being melodic and have a symphonic element to them, although I would be hesitant to label them a “symphonic metal band”. They have those qualities, but musically they are a bit on the heavier side of the spectrum.
The opener “Within Flesh” is a barnstormer of a track and a great way to begin things. The heavy riffing continues with “Nothing Grows” – this is just a powerhouse song, which is heavy, relentless and also includes aggressive male vocals to go along with Jessica’s passionate delivery. Continue reading »
Akphaezya – “Anthology IV: The Tragedy of Nerak” (2012)
Label : Code666/Aural Music
Review by Luisa Mercier
After a few years from the acclaimed debut “Anthology II”, French avantgarde metal-band Akphaezya is back with a new and interesting full-length. The structure of “Anthology IV” is that of an Ancient Greece tragedy with Prologue, the following plot and an Epilogue.
Even most of the title are Ancient Greek words, chosen among the most important values and concepts that Greeks used to hold dear. On a musical side note, I have to say that the previous record was very prog and jazzy oriented, while this one is way heavier and maybe more omogenuous.
Above all, shine the vocals of Nehl Aelin (also keyboards player), the talented singer who once again showcases all her versatility. “Prologue” opens “Anthology IV” and it is a short intro where creepy vocals mingle with electronics. Continue reading »
NEWS : Italian gothic metal band Lightless Moor has signed with Wormholedeath/Aural!
Italian gothic metal band Lightless Moor has signed a deal with Wormholedeath/Aural Music Group. Wormholedeath will release their debut album titled “Crying My Grief to a Feeble Dawn” world-wide through Aural Music Group. The album was recorded and mixed at Realsound Studio in Parma (Italy) with producer Wahoomi Corvi (Crysalys, The Way Of Purity, Haterial), and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (Finland). Release date is due during 2013 still to be scheduled. The whole band together stated : “We are extremely proud to announce the beginning of the journey with Wormholedeath! It is one of the main Italian label, and in addition to the excellent established friendship, we are assured of a great professional work!” A&R “Worm” stated: “Lightless Moor is a band that we kept under our radar for a long time … They evolved so much during the last year that we decided to offer them a deal. The album is just great and produced by our favourite studio ever, the guys are really honest and nice so they really deserve attention from the scene. We’ll do everything possible to make people turn their heads toward this amazing band. I would love to thank the musicians involved in this project for their trust. Cry your grief, Lightless Moor are ready!”
Niobeth – “Silvery Moonbeams” (2011)
Label : Dreamcell 11 Entertaiment/Aural Music
Review by Tony Cannella
Shortly after the release of their second full-length album, “Silvery Moonbeams”, the Spanish band Niobeth decided to call it a day and break up. Of course it is always a sad thing when a young band with so much promise decides to go their separate ways, but even more so when they released such a good album like “Silvery Moonbeams”. For about an hour this is Niobeth at their operatic, symphonic metal best – a band firing on all cylinders and loaded with confidence and a swagger. Starting with “The Banished Princess”, vocalist Itea Benedicto Colás pushes herself to the limit and choirs are used and exactly what the song needs, and is a perfect enhancement for an already solid track. The beautiful guitar harmonies introduce the next track “Eclipse”. This is one of several songs that feature male vocals; I have no idea who does them. This song sees Itea toning down the operatic style on this mid-tempo track. That is the one of the strengths of the band, Itea doesn’t feel the need to show off with how high of notes she can hit, she fits her voice perfectly to what the song calls for. The band speeds up for the beginning of “Withered Lullabies”; this is another one that features the choirs which provides the songs with a rich texture. “Sons of the Earth” is another strong track, and one of my favorites. The mournful violin intro “Stolen Innocence” leads us into the melancholic “My Dead Angel”. Other highlights include: “Campeon”, “I Know That I Know Nothing” (quite possibly the greatest song titles ever?) and “I Need You to Need Me” (2nd greatest song title ever?). The 15-minute “Sadako’s Wings of Hope” is a pure symphonic masterpiece and is as epic as epic can get. The acoustic outro “Solitude” seems like a fitting way to close the book on Niobeth. Knowing that the band has broken up makes it that much more emotional. If this is to be their epitaph, then “Silvery Moonbeams” from Niobeth is a great way to go out. Still, you can’t help but wonder what might have been. Niobeth is a band that was certainly capable of rising to the top of the Symphonic Metal hierarchy. They will be missed.
Rating – 88/100
Tracklist
- The Banished Princess
- Eclipse
- Withered Lullabies
- Sons of the Earth
- Campeon
- Stolen Innocence
- My Dead Angel
- I Know That I Know Nothing
- I Need You to Need Me
- Sadako’s Wings of Hope
- Polovtsian Dances
- Solitude
Line Up
- Itea Benedicto Colás – Vocals
- Jesus Diez Garcia – Guitars
- Javi Palacious – Bass
- Alberto Izquierdo – Drums
Links
MySpace * Facebook * Twitter * Site
Style switcher only on this demo version. Theme styles can be changed from Options page.
SOCIAL STUFF
Recent Posts
- Arkona – “Decade of Glory” LIVE (2013)
- Оксидерика – “Step to Darkness” (2013)
- Chaostar – “Anomima” (2013)
- Helalyn Flowers – “White Me In Black Me Out” (2013)
- My Ruin – “The Sacred Mood” (2013)
- Belladonna – “Shooting Dice With God” (2013)
- Visions of Atlantis – “Ethera” (2013)
- Upon Wings – “Afterlife” EP (2013)
- Maxine Petrucci – “Back to the Garden” (2013)
- Masterforce – “Until the End of Time” DEMO (2011)
- COURAGE MY LOVE return with “Becoming” EP
- Maledia – “Your Angels Cry” EP (2012)
- Lumus – “Bacchus’ Curse” (2012)
- Lightless Moor – “The Poem – Crying My Grief to A Feeble Dawn” (2013)
- Hurtful Witch – “Spectra” (2013) [DEMO] [REISSUE]
- Ivalys – “Lumen” (2013)
- Hydrogyn – “Private Sessions” (2012)
- Heart Shaped Rock – “Brought it On” SINGLE (2012)
- Igorrr – “Hallelujah” (2012)
- North Diamond – “По Ту Сторону Бытия” ["On the Other Side of Being" - "Po Tu Storonu Biytiya"] (2012)
- Kvitrafn (Einar Selvik) – Wardruna
- THE EDGE OF PARADISE @ The Mix, Seattle, WASHINGTON, USA – 27/04/2013
- Jessie Ware – “Devotion” [The Gold Edition] (2013)
- Hugo Flores & Jessica Lehto – Factory of Dreams
- Carter Tutti Void – “Transverse” (2012)
- Jennifer Borg – Divine Ascension
- Black Sun Aeon – “Blacklight Deliverance” (2011)
- Black Heaven – “Dystopia” (2011)
- Fourever – “Solitarium” (2012)
- Embassy of Silence – “Antler Velvet” (2013)