Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Moonblood > Rehearsal 11 - Worshippers of the Grim Sepulchral Moon > Reviews
Moonblood - Rehearsal 11 - Worshippers of the Grim Sepulchral Moon

Kvlt Kitsch - 88%

JamesStewart, August 18th, 2023
Written based on this version: 2021, 2CD, Misanthrophia Discos (Limited edition, Remastered)

Moonblood - probably a band more spoken about, than listened to. Partly because the recordings have been difficult to get a hold of (until recently, anyway), and partly because of what they actually do. Terrible production, almost 90 minute demos, produced in an era when adjectives like 'grim' could be found in album titles without irony? Check. Much like AxCx are to grind, I have always thought of Moonblood as a band that most have known and few will sit down and enjoy on a regular basis. Which is a shame, because - despite the charmingly dated aesthetic - Moonblood are actually pretty excellent on some of their recordings. I can't claim to have heard them all, but this is probably the best, alongside Siegfried and the 3rd demo.

When Worshippers... began, I wasn't sure I would make it through the whole 82ish minutes. The production really is that jarring, especially at a distance of 25 years. I don't know if it gets better as the demo progresses or if my ear simply attuned to the quality, but to my surprise I found that by the second or third song I could discern pretty clearly some excellent riffs. Unlike many of the lo-fi cohort, Moonblood actually know how to write a damned fine riff, and aren't afraid of injecting a little melodicism (where I suspect the oft applied 'epic' epithet hails from). I assume there is bass, but it's hard to tell through the fuzz: but this isn't necessarily a downside, as any louder in the mix and it would probably just obscure the wonderful guitar work. Likewise the drums clatter and occasionally blast, but never become obtrusive. What really works with the guitars to propel these lengthy compositions along is the vocal work, which does deserve a special mention. The shrieks are truly excellent and provide an excellent, unhinged/anguished counterpart to the guitars. For a long release, this is actually a pretty easy listen, possibly because the second half is to my mind slightly stronger. It's worth persevering for the epic (in every sense of the word) final track, which features the best of everything that makes this a great demo.

Overall then, I would say that this is a fine example of lo-fi, traditional BM. If you remember the 90's, or just want to know what BM sounded like before the creative explosion and genre-meddling of the last 10-15 years transformed what BM could be, look no further.

Another Nightly Reign of Terror - 95%

Slater922, August 15th, 2023
Written based on this version: 1997, Cassette, Independent

Just nine months after releasing their debut album "Blut & Krieg", Moonblood would released their eleventh demo titled "Worshippers of the Grim Sepulchral Moon". The tenth rehearsal tape they released was good, but the extremely raw production was so bad, it kind of ruined it. Fortunately, the production has been fixed up (at least as much as these raw rehearsal tapes go), and not only that, but I'd also argue the songwriting has also improved.

One thing to note is the atmosphere. I personally find that these raw black metal tapes are at their best when they utilize a more nightly haunting tone, and this rehearsal tape arguably does this the best in Moonblood's discography. Right from the first track "...to Be Immortal", those guitar riffs bombard you with some cold and harsh riff-play, but at the same time, they also retain some form of epic sound from the previous demos, leaving a sound that mixes raw nightmares with some melodic riffing. The drumming is also good, as while the mixing isn't as focused compared to other demos, the blastbeats still hit just as hard, and they lead through the tracks quite well, regardless of the speed. Even the bass is a bit more audible, as not only does it lay in the foundation well, but it also follows alongside the guitars decently. Some of my personal favorite on this demo include "Don't Fear the Dark", both parts of Path to Thy Funeral Light, "Procreated Through the Sperm of Astaroth", and especially the closing track "Worshippers of the Grim Sepulchral Moon", mainly because these tracks not only follow a more epic-driven atmosphere, but come with everything I want from a Moonblood rehearsal tape with raw production, well=played riffs, and a killer atmosphere. While this rip does have some occasional hiccups, like those weird scratch sounds in "Then Came the Silence", the overall instrumental on this is amazing, and is sometimes up their with the third rehearsal in terms of quality.

The vocals are also great. By now, Gaamalzagoth's vocals shouldn't come as a surprise, but even then, they never fail to impress me. Though the shrieks he does are a bit standard, their main strength is with how well they fit in this type of atmosphere, particularly on the track "Cathedral of Restless Souls". The track goes for a more melancholic approach, and Gaamalzagoth's shrieks reflect that quite well with his agonized screams and lyrics on the suffering of the souls. And for the more hard-hitting tracks like the second part to Path to Thy Funeral Light, the shrieks flow well with the harsh riffs and booming drums. The vocal performance is good overall, and fits the nightly atmosphere like a glove.

On a technical approach, I suppose some of the other rehearsal tapes are superior to this one to an extent. However, in terms of the melancholic night atmosphere, the eleventh demo is arguably the best at it. Not only are the instrumentals fantastic, but the vocals also serve alongside the riffs and drums quite well. If you haven't checked this demo out already, now would be a good time to give it a spin yourself.

The definition of grim black metal - 94%

sermeot, May 8th, 2007

Of all the Moonblood rehersals, I would have to put this one in the top 3.
It has a diverse sound, even from track to track, the way the drums and guitars sound are slightly different. The song writing also appears to have become better since the older releases.

The vocal performance on this demo are in typical Moonblood style, shreiks and howls. I do enjoy the instrumental parts as well.

Songs like Path to thy Funeral Light (pt1&2) showcase some old Bathory influence where as songs like Dont Fear the Dark reflect some older, traditional, dare I say "true" metal influences.

Stand-out tracks: Path to thy Funeral Light pt2, Cathedral of Restless Souls, Entering the New Kingdom