Moondark
The Shadowpath

Never a more fitting name, Moondark. A true dark moon, "The Shadowpath" is truly one of the darkest Death Metal records I've ever listened to. Dated 1993, it is the only release from this band that dissolved shortly after the album's release.

Aside from the production which certainly doesn't reach the highest levels, this work is a true gem. It reaches the levels of expressiveness of Doom, the darkness and cold conveyed by Black, the power unleashed by Death. The vocalist's growl is deep and malevolent, guitars are gritty and the riffs interesting, sometimes more varied, other times pounding, the rhythm is varied, the drums sometimes launch into rapid double bass gallops and pleasant breaks, at other moments the slower and introspective atmospheres lead it to strike rare beats while the cymbals carry everything, the bass serves as a simple accompaniment, but you can still hear it among the other instruments and every now and then it manages to carve out its own space. Its full and repetitive sound contributes to creating a truly distressing atmosphere. In the band, every member is really at the service of each other to increase the level of expressiveness of the tracks.

The album is a monolith of darkness that leaves no escape, there's no need to dive into the extremes of Depressive Black Metal or Funeral Doom; Moondark manages to evoke the same sensations without neglecting a musical aspect that is undoubtedly more powerful and varied. Tracks like "Inside The Crypt", "Dimension Of Darkness", and the instrumental "Trespassing Into The Abyss" seize the mind and take possession, every kind of light ceases to shine, covered by the darkness emerging beat after beat, every track only releases dark, terrifying emotions, the band's work is truly fantastic.

This is the debut of Moondark, the first and last album of a star that unfortunately, like many, set too soon and that could have given many more emotions.