Moonshine - Songs Of Requiem

*=Staff's pick	Ouvris La Porte The Other Side (Of Me)* Hallucinating With Shadows The Ghost Who Mourns Endless Fall Domesticated Creatures The Song Of Retrospect Dying In Agony Nocturnal Halls Lady In Black* The Memorable Tide

Genre	Symphonic Black Metal	Amon	Vocals
Tracks	11	Amon	Guitar
Runningtime	51 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	Dope Music	Pain	Bass
Release	01 April 2005	Giga	Drums
Country	South Korea	Pain	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

South Korea's Moonshine declare their music as aggressive, dark and extreme but beautiful according to their press statement which accompanied their second release Songs Of Requiem. A statement that would make all fans of symphonic black metal on half speed drivel. However, a warning should be at its place after some listening to Songs Of Requiem. There are very little, or even no trails of aggressions or extreme activities on this album. Moonshine perform very polished and clean, almost soft metal with major keyboard parts and they do it well if it only had been about doing beautiful melodies. But to sing about the damnation of our world and predict its downfall is one thing, the other is to have the right tunes and instrumental back up to make the message just a bit real and interesting.

I find it difficult to find some really good parallells to music from other bands in the same genre, but I'll do a try. Lead singer Amon's voice feels very greek and by that I mean the early days of the greek band Nightfall, particular the Macabre Sunsets album. The music feels very near the mentioned band and album but slower. It feels like Moonshine are into the good old style as the early days of Rotting Christ or Samael´s excellent Worship Him album, but haven't find the touch or very essence of mentioned music. Left are just intentions and they are a bit to weak to be really interesting. The thing is that this band really handle their instruments well and so on, but the genuine feeling aren't just there. Too much of instrumental Pink Floyd elements when it should be more ass-kicking raw and bitter black metal. Well, as said, Moonshine have intentions with their music, it's all about finding the right pieces and put it together. Another time.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
6	7	4

Summary
5 chalices of 10 - Tim