After two demos and a split, Moonfall finally delivers its first full length album, which looks more like an EP due to its short duration (just a little over 27 minutes), but we’ve seen shorter albums in the past.
Before we speak of the music itself, allow me a moment to comment on the visual aspects of this release. Since it could easily belong to something coming straight from the 80s or very early 90s. Not to mention the logo, which also exudes that DIY feeling from times long past (but never forgotten).
Definitely, the visuals alone should please any Black Metal fan who finds pleasure in appreciating old and eerie artworks from the primeval times of the genre.
That being said, what the listener will find here is nothing more than the continuation and natural evolution of what these fine gentlemen have been doing since their inception. Raw, nasty, straightforward and old school Black Metal with heavy Doom tinges here and there, much like bands such as Xantotol and especially early Necromantia.
Throughout the album, you’ll be faced with weird sonic passages and growls, much reminiscent from the early days of Black Metal. Not to mention, there’s a quite unique sense of constant weirdness permeating the songs.
However, Moonfall’s present work doesn’t delve too much into the realms of chaotic or in the familiar cacophony from other bands/projects of the members involved (i.e Witchcraft or Ceremonial Torture). So the songs are easy to listen to and to appreciate in their whole context, without sacrificing the old school feeling whatsoever.
Despite its short length, Moonfall’s ‘Odes to the Ritual Hills’ achieves what it’s out there to do, which is deliver a heavy dose of dense and malign sounding music. Clearly, a work of “Ancient Evil Metal” done by fans and for fans!
