Moonshade – As We Set The Skies Ablaze
Release Date: 22nd July 2021
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Doom Metal.
FFO: Nephylim, Lahmia, Hero’s Fate.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Moonshade, a project which boasts a complex nature, hail from Portugal and began their journey in 2010. Since that time, they have released several singles and a couple of EPs, as well as one full-length release. According to the bio on the band’s page, they look to “…reshape the current musical zeitgeist by achieving a balance between the epic and the extreme that perfectly echoes the many battlecries of this generation, as it strives to ascend beyond its sorrows towards the everlasting horizons of Humanity’s untamed potential for becoming the gods it once worshipped.” Aspiring to those lofty levels would be, to say the least, a somewhat daunting task. I do believe that As We Set The Skies Ablaze achieves what the band are looking to accomplish. The focal point of the work is the dichotomous nature of the human species; we are capable of such amazing and almost unbelievable feats, yet we also actively destroy the very planet we rely upon to nourish us. In the examination of human nature, Moonshade urge us to transcend our mere human existence in order to recognize our own potential in order to right the wrongs that humanity has created.
As We Set The Skies Ablaze is as complex musically as it is in terms of the overall goal of the band. Throughout the album, there are wonderful juxtapositions of heavy riffs and melodic elements. One hears grittier, death metal sounds flow into cleaner, polished tones, which then may venture off into black metal tremolo picking and blast beats. Some people reading this might think, “That sounds like a bit much.” It isn’t, though. Moonshade masterfully combine these sounds and transition between them, so smoothly it is almost like they are gliding across ice. Another enjoyable aspect to hear is the layering of different elements; there are some wonderful keyboard pieces and little gems of guitar flourishes throughout some of the tracks. Generally, the guitar work on this album is fucking aces and enjoyable to hear. The sense of urgency in the pace of some songs really helps to musically convey the overall message of the band. Vocals on this work are impressive; there is tremendous versatility which compliments the overall sound. A favourite song for me is Everlasting Horizons, as it highlights the strengths and depth of sound Moonshade offers. For the most part it is more of a slow tempo compared to other tracks and because of this it showcases good use of discipline in terms of pauses. Additionally, there is a nice contrast between some lovely melodic guitars coupled with blast beats.
Overall, this is a very solid album, but my one critique is that the bass was lost in the production. What stood out to me as the prominent sound were the drums. This is not to say that the guitars were lost in the mix, as they were not, but my ears kept being drawn to the percussion. Because of this, it was odd to not hear more of the bass. Despite that, though, it didn’t detract from my listening experience. Moonshade created something special with this record. As We Set The Skies Ablaze will appeal to a vast audience due to the fantastic elements throughout. Definitely add this one to your playlist!
(4.5 / 5)
