MOONLIGHT HAZE
Here we have another 2019 debut of a power symphonic metal band, Moonlight Haze. A year ago, Chiara Tricarico and Giulio Capone started this adventure seeking out aid from members of amazing acts like Temperance, Elvenking, Sound Storm, and even Overtures. ‘De Rerum Natura’ was mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio in San Marino, Italy. So what is it that we’re reviewing here? A brand new act with some of the most talented individuals in symphonic metal at the genesis of something brand new? A project album? The experience level of each band member gathered here to create ‘De Rerum Natura’ is quite high, so my expectations are equally high!
Elephant in the room note: How to avoid bringing up acts like Nightwish or Tarja Turunen when writing up this review… hmmm, damn, I already failed. There will be moments within this release that will harken back to the early 2000s of whimsical speedy riffs with gorgeous lead choruses like legendary acts such as NW, and I’m not damning this release because of it. After multiple listens over a few weeks the overall feeling is a bit of nostalgia, while giving us something fairly new at the same time. So, let’s jump right in!
Observing elements and inspiration from Oratory, Wintersun and Ethernity, Moonlight Haze throttles us into an amazing intro of ‘To the Moon and Back’. This folk rhythm comes to us with elements of very familiar processions. While not negative by any means, this track comes filled with ridiculously catchy chorus with nice build along the way. ‘Ad Astra’ and ‘The Butterfly Effect’ are equally speedy and offer complex symphonic transitions from beginning to end.
The tempo of the riffs pick up mightily with ‘Time’, which also features growly vocals from none other than Mark Jansen of Epica fame. This momentum carries over into ‘Deceiver’ and then fades into a nearly experimental track in ‘Dark Corners of Myself’, which opens with a jazz style flamenco section that works incredibly well, all things considered!
Overall, are Moonlight Haze truly unique? Do they bring anything new to the crowded table of folky speed metal or is this yet another ensemble that merely does what others have done with dashes of their own twisted style? Actually, the latter…
So what do we say here? It’s true, ‘De Rerum Natura’ is an album that feels like it has graced our ears before, but they are a brand new act that offers a decent injection of soul into our mixed metal genre of beautiful choruses, complex guitar riffs, and polished solos. So, I recommend these guys as it seems to get a little better with each listen and should be considered enjoyable by most fans of the genre. Give it a go!
Elephant in the room note: How to avoid bringing up acts like Nightwish or Tarja Turunen when writing up this review… hmmm, damn, I already failed. There will be moments within this release that will harken back to the early 2000s of whimsical speedy riffs with gorgeous lead choruses like legendary acts such as NW, and I’m not damning this release because of it. After multiple listens over a few weeks the overall feeling is a bit of nostalgia, while giving us something fairly new at the same time. So, let’s jump right in!
Observing elements and inspiration from Oratory, Wintersun and Ethernity, Moonlight Haze throttles us into an amazing intro of ‘To the Moon and Back’. This folk rhythm comes to us with elements of very familiar processions. While not negative by any means, this track comes filled with ridiculously catchy chorus with nice build along the way. ‘Ad Astra’ and ‘The Butterfly Effect’ are equally speedy and offer complex symphonic transitions from beginning to end.
The tempo of the riffs pick up mightily with ‘Time’, which also features growly vocals from none other than Mark Jansen of Epica fame. This momentum carries over into ‘Deceiver’ and then fades into a nearly experimental track in ‘Dark Corners of Myself’, which opens with a jazz style flamenco section that works incredibly well, all things considered!
Overall, are Moonlight Haze truly unique? Do they bring anything new to the crowded table of folky speed metal or is this yet another ensemble that merely does what others have done with dashes of their own twisted style? Actually, the latter…
So what do we say here? It’s true, ‘De Rerum Natura’ is an album that feels like it has graced our ears before, but they are a brand new act that offers a decent injection of soul into our mixed metal genre of beautiful choruses, complex guitar riffs, and polished solos. So, I recommend these guys as it seems to get a little better with each listen and should be considered enjoyable by most fans of the genre. Give it a go!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Scarlet Records
Album
DE RERUM NATURA
Review by Joshua Jaeger
RUNNING TIME:
50:35
RELEASE DATE:
21st June 2019
TRACK LISTING
1) To the Moon and Back
2) Ad Astra
3) Odi Et Amo
4) The Butterfly Effect
5) Time
6) Dark Corners of Myself
7) A Restless Mind
8) Deceiver
9) A Shelter from the Storm
10) Goddess
2) Ad Astra
3) Odi Et Amo
4) The Butterfly Effect
5) Time
6) Dark Corners of Myself
7) A Restless Mind
8) Deceiver
9) A Shelter from the Storm
10) Goddess
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Italy
"‘De Rerum Natura’ is an album that feels like it has graced our ears before, but they are a brand new act that offers a decent injection of soul into our mixed metal genre of beautiful choruses, complex guitar riffs, and polished solos."
