Lunar Shadow

Trial – Feed the Fire Review

Trial – Feed the Fire Review

By Steel Druhm on September 8, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 104 comments

“Way back in 2015, when the world was young and AMG was still using the cursed and damned Excel Promo Sheet ov Doom, an album called Vessel by Swedish prog/power/trad act Trial graced my earholes. It was like a joyous fusion of Crimson Glory, early Fates Warning, In Solitude and NWoBHM and I really enjoyed it. I planned to review it but time conspired against me and Vessel never got the AMG treatment it deserved. 2017s Motherless did, however, and that album was a hot mess lacking the old timey charm and mystique of its predecessor. Fast forward to 2022 and Trial return with Feed the Fire and a brand new singer, and the awkwardness of Motherless is nowhere to be found.” Trial by fire.

Spell – Opulent Decay Review

Spell – Opulent Decay Review

By Steel Druhm on April 9, 2020 in 2020, Bad Omen Records, Canadian Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 14 comments

“The retro waves never stop crashing ashore, they just shift decades. Beginning around 2000 the metalverse became inundated with 80s throwback acts, and over the past ten or so years there’s been an increasing drive to mine 70s rock for inspiration as well. Canadian act Spell are in on this big dig, incorporating a lot of 70s rock ideas into a slurry containing NWoBHM and goth rock. Opulent Decay is their third attempt to get this tricky recipe right, showcasing an intriguing blend of eras and styles which results in something very old sounding and full of occult auras.” Olden magic.

Lunar Shadow – The Smokeless Fires Review

Lunar Shadow – The Smokeless Fires Review

By Steel Druhm on June 3, 2019 in 2019, Epic Metal, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 42 comments

“Trying to cobble multiple metal genres together into a unified and effective sound is no easy feat. Especially when one sets their sights on epic traditional metal interwoven with black metal and melodeath influences. Too much of any one ingredient and it all starts to go off the rails. Thus finding that elusive sweet spot is an alchemic challenge few bands are the equal to. Lunar Shadow almost pulled it off on their 2017 debut Far From Light, but a few issues conspired to undermine some of their otherwise good works. Still, it was an interesting album with some compelling moments and it oozed with potential and what ifs. Now they’re back with a new frontman and a more evolved, mature approach to genre crocheting on The Smokeless Fires.” Smoke on Mt. Doom.

Lunar Shadow – Far From Light Review

Lunar Shadow – Far From Light Review

By Steel Druhm on March 19, 2017 in 2017, Cruz Del Sur, Epic Metal, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 55 comments

“Nostalgia is a part of life, as inescapable as death, taxes and back hair. In moderation it’s a wistful and harmless reminder of happy times and precious moments. Taken to extremes however, it becomes ABBA-centric musicals and ironical Hipster Hell (i.e. Williamsburg, Brooklyn). The biggest problem with throwback/retro nostalgia-core is the fact it must forever look backward at what’s already been done, rarely managing to inject modern ideas or sensibilities into the mix. Flying in the face of this truism, Lunar Shadow boldly strides out of Germany with a new take on living in the past.” A retro twofer? Everyone loves a bargain.