Title: Blackest Blue
Artist: Moonrise
Genre: Goth Rock
Release Date: November 2008
Label: None
Album Review
MOONRISE started in 1994 in Hamburg and in 1997 released their first demo ‘No mean depression’ featuring guest vocal appearances by PETER HEPPNER and NINA HELBIG. After another demo in 1999, he first EP ‘Cursed’ saw the lights of day in 2002. Three of the songs were featured on samplers. Most recently the band aroused attention with their collaboration with PETER HEPPNER on his ‘Solo’ album on the track ‘Vorbei’. ‘Blackest Blue’ is the first album of MOONRISE, produced by no one less than Axel Ermes (GIRLS UNDER GLASS).
‘Chirping birds on a sunny day!’ is what comes in mind first when hearing the first notes of the opener ‘Blackest Blue’, to be overshadowed by saddening guitar wafts, preluding the majestic synth wall building up subsequently, evoking a sublime and melancholic mood. As soon as the full instrumental set unfolds, Timo starts the first verses, having a darker timbre in his voice making it a perfect companion for the song. Kicking off things with a faster rhythm and nice riffs is ‘7 Years’ that soon slows down for the verse to speed up peaking in an atmospheric chorus. Halfway through the song you can hear a great guitar solo by De.Bow.
Very solemn starts ‘Crucify’, Chorals ascend, bowing down to the crystal-sharp and vividly played drums and distorted guitars. Overall I must say it’s the drum parts on the track that impressed me the most this time round. The title ‘Kiss of the Moon’ sounds like a ballad and turns out to be just that. Virtually classical piano accentuation, the mellow chant and the understated strings in combination with the laid-back drumming add up to a moody whole. With ‘Paula’ the album finds its end, developing from a singly synth line at the beginning to the most atmospheric track on the album. Not least because of a great vocal performance.
With this debut album in the back, the band soon will become known to a wider audience, I believe. ‘Blackest Blue’ is only the start of a promising career.
Tracklist
01. Blackest Blue – 5:16
02. Nichts gespürt – 4:34
03. Semi demonic pleasures – 6:49
04. 7 Years – 4:36
05. Crucify – 4:35
06. Regret – 6:25
07. Kiss of the Moon – 4:58
08. Embrace – 4:30
09. For her love we Cry – 6:44
10. Through mists I walk – 7:30
11. Paula – 7:17
Line-up
Timo Peter - Vocals
WoJ - Bass
LuXa Rosenberg - Keys
De.Bow - Guitar
Nik - Drums
Website
http://www.moonrise.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/moonrisemusic
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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