Blackwood Productions is a newly started English label and their first release is From Moonrise to Moonset, an atmospheric black metal split between two British bands, Torver and Arcane North. Although both bands can be considered as atmospheric black metal, they are very different, so variety is guaranteed.
Torver, from Cumbria, are responsible for the first three songs of the split. After an instrumental intro, “Moonrise”, the second track starts with forest sounds, which project us into a nature setting. Torver also take on a dark ambient bias: the clean chants go well with the violins, thus creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere, in which harsh screams are not missing though. Arcane North, from County Durham, as the name suggests, are instead more inspired by the Scandinavian tradition, with a sound that transpires cold and winter; I also find that their music has a vein of melancholy, as well. Arcane North close the split with an instrumental outro, “Moonset”.
The production is an underground one, with the typical quality of atmospheric black metal bands; in my opinion, a drawback is the two title tracks “Moonrise” and “Moonset”: I do not understand the point of these a kind of boring keyboard intros and outros.
To conclude, I would not count From Moonrise to Moonset among the top black metal releases of 2015, but it certainly has its appeal, especially if you are into atmospheric black metal.
Notes:
Release date: February 22 2015 on Blackwood Productions.
Tracklist:
Torver
1. Moonrise
2. Naked in the Wilderness
3. Lunar Ritual
Arcane North
4. Invoke the Spirit of the North
5. Cold Lonely Moors
6. Moonset
Personnel:
Torver
Nicholas Millar - Vocals, Lyrics and Violin
Dominus - Guitar and Bass
Azrael - Synths and Keys
Arcane North
Julian - Drums, Additional Vocals
William - Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
Torver, from Cumbria, are responsible for the first three songs of the split. After an instrumental intro, “Moonrise”, the second track starts with forest sounds, which project us into a nature setting. Torver also take on a dark ambient bias: the clean chants go well with the violins, thus creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere, in which harsh screams are not missing though. Arcane North, from County Durham, as the name suggests, are instead more inspired by the Scandinavian tradition, with a sound that transpires cold and winter; I also find that their music has a vein of melancholy, as well. Arcane North close the split with an instrumental outro, “Moonset”.
The production is an underground one, with the typical quality of atmospheric black metal bands; in my opinion, a drawback is the two title tracks “Moonrise” and “Moonset”: I do not understand the point of these a kind of boring keyboard intros and outros.
To conclude, I would not count From Moonrise to Moonset among the top black metal releases of 2015, but it certainly has its appeal, especially if you are into atmospheric black metal.
Notes:
Release date: February 22 2015 on Blackwood Productions.
Tracklist:
Torver
1. Moonrise
2. Naked in the Wilderness
3. Lunar Ritual
Arcane North
4. Invoke the Spirit of the North
5. Cold Lonely Moors
6. Moonset
Personnel:
Torver
Nicholas Millar - Vocals, Lyrics and Violin
Dominus - Guitar and Bass
Azrael - Synths and Keys
Arcane North
Julian - Drums, Additional Vocals
William - Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com