The cold and melancholic soundscapes in black metal are definitely absolute magic, and when they come from cult scenes like Chile and Canada, under the veil of one split title, the experience borders with wandering through the dark woods under the moonlight, surrounded by the just awakened nocturnal creatures.
With that said, two huge underground forces – Chilean black
metal project Funeral Fullmoon and Canada’s Nocturnal Prayer have
united their primal worship of magic and the night under the joint
split title “Disciples of the Moonlight Worship”.
In it, Funeral Fullmoon performs four and Nocturnal Prayer – three
tracks, dedicated entirely to the secrets of darkness and the magic
of the night, and although the different approach to songwriting of
the individual formations can be felt, the title feels like an
inseparable whole and represents to the listener strong and
haunting melodies.
Pressing the play button, “The Gates of Majestic Darkness” by Funeral Fullmoon begins. Beautiful ice-cold riffs and sound of thunder blast through the space, followed by Magister Nihilfer Vendetta 218’s authentic sharp haunting vocals. The title’s lo-fi atmosphere, organic drums and high-pitched screams directly grab the ear, play with the mind and lead you through a devastating melancholic winter night in the woods . Totally ’90s, the track sets the tone for the magic we’re about to hear on ‘Disciples of the Moonlight Worship’.
The remaining three tracks of the Chileans are in no way inferior to the first, except perhaps in length, and following the already laid foundation of fast cold riffs, vicious vocals and primal energy, pass in one breath and leave you with the nocturnal mirages . At the end, Funeral Fullmoon also present a cover of Emperor’s “Lord of the Storms”, which is performed in a truly captivating and authentic way.
After the subduing side of Funeral Fullmoon, the eerie
spells of Nocturnal Prayer arrive.
While the drums and guitars attack the hearing in the foreground,
the muffled screams of Murder float in the background, which carry
a specific charge already in the first track “Grand Celestial
Summoning”.
In addition to his recognizable vocals, the musician uses different
guitar techniques, not limited to tremolo and plays with more
playful riffs in places, which is strongly reminiscent of the
performances of a number of artists from the beginning of the
creation of the genre.
Raw-sounding and unwavering in speed and ferocious temperament, the
three tracks by Nocturnal Prayer are aggressive and all about
obsessive energy, in contrast to the more palpable melancholy of
the first tracks on the Funeral Fullmoon part.
At the end of his musical journey, Nocturnal Prayer
presents a cover of Satanic Warmaster’s “My Kingdom of Darkness” –
a particularly fitting end to the subjugating tunes.
“Disciples of the Moonlight Worship” is an ethereal, melancholic and at times downright sadistic album about the majesty of the night and the secrets hidden under the veil of the black firmament. Authentic and raw, the performances of both groups lead us into their wandering tale of the enchanted woods and the hungry beasts lurking through its opaque dark corners…
Score: 9/10
Bands: Funeral Fullmoon и Nocturnal Prayer
Album: “Disciples of the Moonlight Worship”
Label: Inferna Profundus Records
Release date: 06.11. 2023
Listen & order here: https://bit.ly/3SXDUk0
Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.
