The Black Metal genre has never sought to present itself as a paragon of sonic perfection. Quite the opposite: abrasive productions, overdriven riffs, and an all-encompassing layer of noise are, for many, not flaws but essential elements of the aesthetic. That discomfort, that sense of distance and coldness, that is Black Metal. Still, there are bands whose initial rawness gradually gives way to a more considered production, without sacrificing the core of their sound. Not as a betrayal of the genre, but as a form of refinement.
That path also seems to have been taken by the American Witchmoon. Where earlier releases clearly leaned toward a LoFi approach, marked by prominent noise and an almost claustrophobic mix, the new ‘Eternal Winds of Death’ comes across as a noticeably more mature and even carefully produced record. Not smooth or polished, but deliberate and forceful. Each instrument is given more breathing room, without the icy atmosphere and hostility being exchanged for comfort.
Strikingly little is known about Witchmoon. Even our trusted databases come up empty, leaving us to speculate. The first demo appears to date back to 2017, suggesting the project came into being around that time. Since then, several demos and splits have surfaced, and now, ‘Eternal Winds of Death’ included, two full-length albums. A steady, almost subterranean development, far removed from hype or visibility.
That anonymity works in Witchmoon’s favor. The music stands entirely on its own, stripped of context, persona, or narrative. What remains is pure intent: cold, traditionally rooted Black Metal, carried by a production that, for the first time, truly does justice to the compositions. ‘Eternal Winds of Death’ therefore feels like a turning point, not a break with the past, but a logical next step. More focus, more depth, yet still drenched in the same ominous spirit.
‘Eternal Winds of Death’ was released through four different labels, each in its own format and aimed at its own audience. Digital distribution was handled by Lampshade Tapes, while Death Hymns took care of the 12” edition. The cassette version appeared via Perverse Homage, and for the CD version, the copy that has since earned a permanent place on the shelf, our own Dutch New-Era Productions was responsible. A fitting reflection of how releases like this still breathe through the underground: scattered, tangible, and aimed squarely at the devotee.
Despite the clearly improved production, this remains unmistakably raw Black Metal. Its roots are deeply embedded in the 1990s, with a clear nod to the Scandinavian foundation, but this time there is more variation than on earlier releases. Where things previously risked dissolving into a constant storm, the songs here are more thoughtfully constructed and better developed.
A notable addition is the use of synthesizers, applied subtly but effectively. They never impose themselves, yet add an extra layer of atmosphere and melancholy, as if something greater lurks behind the wall of noise and aggression. The sense of menace is enhanced, without softening the character of the music.
With a runtime just under half an hour, ‘Eternal Winds of Death’ is on the short side, it could easily have lasted a bit longer, but that hardly detracts from the experience. This is an album that knows exactly what it wants and wastes not a second. Noisy guitars hiding melodic lines, rasping vocals that seem to cut through ice and ash, and relentless blastbeats driving everything forward.
What more does one really need? This album captures the essence of Black Metal in its purest form: hostile, sincere, and steeped in a spirit that refuses to be tamed. A genuinely satisfying release. (Consanguineus)
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Personally I ran into Witchmoon with the split LP’s with Lampir and Hand Of Glory from 2018 and 2019 respectively. Basically the peak of the madness surrounding the Raw/Lo-Fi Black Metal revival of those years. People were hunting every label and distro around the globe for the most harsh sounding bedroom Black Metal and paying outrageous sums of money for those tapes and vinyl. Many of these bands and labels have since vanished, but it seems quite a lot of the best bands from these days are still around and still doing their thing anno now. Honestly, I thought Witchmoon also died somewhere along the way, until the 2024 released ‘Macabre Divination’ saw the light of day. An EP that showed the band still being as relevant as it was some years ago.
Now, with ‘Eternal Winds Of Death’, Witchmoon delivers its full-length album, released digitally through Lampshade Tapes (where’s the tape?) and on vinyl through Death Hymns. And right off the bat, it is evident that Witchmoon still continues the path chosen almost a decade ago.
‘Eternal Winds Of Death’ is largely built on the same cornerstones as the majority of all those other bands roaming the same scene. Yet, Witchmoon chose to sound just a little less impenetrable. I wouldn’t go as far as saying this a rather clean sounding Raw Black Metal band, but still, it is clear enough to let the ingenuity of the riffs shine through. A comparison with some of the older Satanic Warmaster material is easily made and fully justified. In doing so, Witchmoon strikes a perfect balance between sounding raw and melodic at the same time, but it wouldn’t sound so convincingly without the stunning sense for dynamic song writing, yet another resemblance with Satanic Warmaster. The surprisingly catchy melodies go very well with the harsher riffs, giving the whole thing a very melancholic touch, something that is also evident in most Finnish Black Metal. Yet, occasionally it displays a certain punky-touch, placing it firmly back into the realm of modern American Black Metal. I wasn’t too sure whether we would ever see new Witchmoon material, I am glad to see the band return in optima forma. Reclaiming its rightful throne as one of the main rulers of the current USBM scene.
While I am glad the days of utter insanity are over and records no longer sold out in just a few minutes and such despicable labels such as Livor Mortis living off the hype are pushed pack into their teenage bedrooms, it happens that this sort of vinyl records are still hard to get or are steeply priced, especially in Europe. So, if you want to get a copy of this Witchmoon album, you should still be willing to dig a little deeper into your pockets than you usually like to. (FelixS)
