Symphonics in the dark
Brent E. Johnson | Naches, WA | 11/18/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is actually a 4.5 rating but amazon hasn't progessed that far yet. But what an awesome album. Speed with time changes galore, so careful with that air guitar-watch for the structure breaks. The only complaint is some of the big chorus sing alongs sound exactly like Hammerfall. Overall the singer does a great job and has a very distinctive voice, there are three guitarists so that explains the big guitar sound, and the drummer manages to mix in enough non double bass to keep it interesting. Other than that if your into dark symphonic metal with a progessive bite this is your band. Nightmare/massacre records does it again."
Ralf of the METAL OBSERVER says....
L. King | Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN USA | 12/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Formed as THORUM, this Swedish sextet changed its name to MOONLIGHT AGONY, which also fits better with the band's sound. It's described as "Dark Symphony Metal", which somehow disturbs me. Because what is offered here is Symphonic Metal a la SONATA ARCTICA or THUNDERSTONE. With the difference that this is somewhat more playful now and then and that influences from the Prog sector as well as from what bands a la ROTTING CHRIST/DIMMU BORGIR do, are present.
Well, this becomes evident in the symphonic keyboard passages, but MOONLIGHT AGONY don't sound particularly ?dark" at any time. Rather mystical and partly also epic. And this sounds quite impressive, the way the Northmen arranged their passages. Another plus is the strong singing by vocalist Chity from Sri Lanka whom I still remember very well from AVALON. His organ is richly faceted and has class. Combined with the really captivating instrumental passages, this turns into an exciting affair for all fans of the genre. It's only the choruses on two songs ("Ceremony", "Ghost") which are so trashy I almost pissed my thong...And this is also the disc's weak point, if it wasn't for these stupid tralala-choruses, a way higher mark would be the result. Because besides that the music is very appealing!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1