Lycantrophilia - Blood Moon Chronicles - Album Review - Extreme Metal from Hesse, Germany
In this review, we turn our attention to Lycantrophilia, a promising extreme metal band hailing from Hesse, Germany. Today, we delve into their monstrous album, "Blood Moon Chronicles," exploring its character, style, story, potential, and more.
Lycantrophilia emerged on my radar about a month ago with their latest release, "Blood Moon Chronicles." This formidable album, unleashed upon the metal world in 2020, showcases the band's immense potential. Since their inception in 2018, Lycantrophilia has steadily honed their craft, starting with their single "Nachtmahr" in 2018, followed by the EP "Metamorph" in 2019, and finally culminating in their first full-length album, "Blood Moon Chronicles." Initially, my impressions of the album were somewhat negative, as I always anticipate musical surprises when exploring new songs. However, I decided to delve deeper into the details. While reading, I invite you to listen to the album and join me on this exploration.
"Blood Moon Chronicles" defies easy categorization. It represents a powerful amalgamation of the heaviest elements in metal, transcending the confines of labels such as black metal, death metal, or extreme metal. Lycantrophilia's dark world pulsates within this album, capturing speed, attitude, and an undeniable sense of hatred. Delving into the band's history, I discovered their gradual progression towards black metal since their debut release, "Nachtmahr" (2018). The true genius behind Lycantrophilia lies in the hands of one multi-instrumentalist, Isegrimm, adding an intriguing layer to their story. I hold immense respect for individuals like him, who exhibit unwavering dedication and maintain a high level of craftsmanship. This aspect of their journey further piqued my interest as "Blood Moon Chronicles" gradually grew on me.
As you may recall from my previous articles, I am not particularly drawn to pure extreme metal unless it presents something extraordinary, such as Opeth's multifaceted blend of black metal, jazz, progressive metal, and death metal. In the case of Lycantrophilia, "Blood Moon Chronicles" eschews any form of embellishment. It represents metal in its purest form, devoid of electronics, vocal tunings, industrial elements, or modern approaches. This album caters to those who appreciate the essence of black/death metal and everything it represents. The unwavering commitment to this purity is what I admire most about the Black Metal community.
The album exudes a profoundly dark mood, as one would expect. While the songs are relatively short, they are far from simplistic or standard. Lycantrophilia sets themselves apart with their instrumentation, energy level, and compositional skills. When listening attentively, it becomes evident that not everyone possesses the ability to craft music like this. Lycantrophilia demonstrates their prowess as exceptional and advanced musicians, drawing upon their vast knowledge and experience. As previously mentioned, the album is devoid of unexpected elements. It launches like a war machine on the second track and maintains an unrelenting pace until the final breath, leaving no room for respite.
On the other hand, the album lacks some musical diversity. Each song possesses unique qualities, yet they share a common thread that makes them feel like parts of a cohesive whole rather than standalone compositions. I recognize that beyond this point, personal preferences come into play. However, I value honesty in my assessments. Lycantrophilia undeniably possesses the technical ability, yet their character in this album fell short of truly distinguishing them from other bands in the genre. Their musicality, ideas, and overall vibe often align with those of other black metal bands. However, this observation does not detract from my appreciation for the band. It is merely an aspect that will guide their trajectory as they navigate their future careers.
Technically, "Blood Moon Chronicles" boasts exceptional standards in every aspect. The album immediately immerses the listener in its world, leaving them breathless as it gallops from the second track to the end. While it is true that fans of death and black metal may not prioritize sound quality, I hold a different perspective. I expect creativity in the post-production process, ensuring it matches the caliber of the musicality. In this regard, "Blood Moon Chronicles" undoubtedly satisfies, offering a metal experience firmly grounded in its foundations. I cannot fault the outcome, whether the album was self-produced or involved collaboration with professionals.
Taking all these factors into account, I can confidently say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to Lycantrophilia. "Blood Moon Chronicles" represents a significant step forward in their careers, a testament that will make them and their families proud for years to come.
"Blood Moon Chronicles" has secured its place in our Top Metal Songs Playlist on Spotify!
Please explore the links below to learn more about Lycantrophilia, follow them on social media, and subscribe to their channels. Show your support and stay tuned for their upcoming releases.
In conclusion, the Metalhead Community Team extends heartfelt congratulations to Lycantrophilia for their work on "Blood Moon Chronicles" and wishes them the very best in their future endeavors. Thank you for reading.
LYCANTROPHILIA on the WEB
Bandcamp
Spotify
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