Empire of the Moon – Εκλειψις

Band: Empire of the Moon
Title: Εκλειψις
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Release date: 10 January 2020
Country: Greece
Format reviewed: Digital Promo

The band started back in 1996 and in 1997 they released the demo “For the Ancient Light of Sinn” but only in 2014 (almost two-decade after), they released the first album. Why? Well, maybe because the members are also members of the well respected and classic bands Chaosbaphomet and Wampyrinacht, maybe. Who knows…

So, the last time I heard anything about this band was around 2015 (I think), they had a recent album, from 2014 named “Πανσέληνος” when I bought the vinyl edition. And after a few years, they release this album named “Εκλειψις” and if the translator did it correctly, it means “Eclipse”.

This “Trve” Hellenic Black Metal release. The same Hellenic Black Metal like was made back in the ’90s.

The album starts with the intro “Arrival” and is the perfect intro for what you will hear.

The second music “Imperium Tridentis” started with one amazing riff that transported me immediately to the ’90s. I was there again, listening to old Hellenic Black Metal. Wow. So good, I was feeling again a teenager listening to, what is for me one of the best countries doing Black Metal. The riffs, the voice, the sound production, the construction of the song, the atmosphere around it. Yes. Yes. Wonderful.

After that amazing start, the album continues with “Per Aspera Ad Lunae – I. The Resonance Within”, “Per Aspera Ad Lunae – II. Two Queens Appear” and “Per Aspera Ad Lunae – III. Descending” and these three songs, are one of the best sequences I heard in the Black Metal music. The songs, the passage between them, the riffs played, the atmosphere around it. Tchhhh… Amazing.

And after? You may ask. After arrives the best song of the album in my opinion. The “Devi Maha Devi” song… The way it starts, the way that sounds to me, the mid-tempo riff on the beginning, the solo at the same time. And the second riff that appears mixed with the voice… I can’t describe it in words, what I heard. The feelings I got while everything was playing. I want to stay here, in the ’90s… Especially the riff that starts at the 3m34s, uh la la…

But what is good it has an end and the song “Per Aspera Ad Lunae – IV. Son of Fire” is the perfect way to end this amazing album.

Do I advise to everyone? Yes, I do. This album will play many times? Yes, it will. And this is album is a perfect way to start this year of 2020? Yes, it is. So grab it… When is out…

Thank you for taking almost 6 years to do this album. Is a masterpiece. Hail to the Hellenic Black Metal. Hail to EMPIRE OF THE MOON. 9/10 The Key Keeper