Moonshade are a Portuguese band that have been influenced by Nordic melodic death metal, mostly by the Insomnium / Dark Tranquillity / Eternal Tears Of Sorrow school. It is all in: Melancholic mood and beautiful melodies together with beastly vocals and leaden heaviness. Even though the band was initiated already in 2010, the debut full-length album 'Sun Dethroned' was released in October 2018 (a very suitable month for music like this, for sure).

Moonshade are really fond with the Nordic sound, because they did not bring in lighter and warmer Mediterranean elements. Only some synthesizer work does remind of the area where the band comes from, and by that I do not mean any digitized castanets, but ethereal yet not chilly sounds reminiscent of Rotting Christ or Moonspell. They should have tried to add something into the tried and tested formula, as this wary way they chose to build their album is its biggest deficiency: It is well done, but also faceless. Surely, some bands have used the same exact building blocks, like Be'lakor for example, and succeeded much better than Moonshade.

Faster parts often consist of speedy picking and double kick drumming. The lead guitar is high-tuned (the guitar's tone is rather annoying and sharp, and not very moody) and weaves prominent melodies, that tend to be forgotten after they are over; they just aren't the best ever. They can be very similar to Insomnium's melodies, for example, but what's done is done and duplicating something is hardly of the same quality as the original. Slower parts contain heavy-handed riffing and pounding drumming, and at times, waltzing tempos. Some calmer parts, including acoustic guitar and more prevalent keyboard work, were thrown in and add some nice change, and at their best, reach eerie moods. Otherwise, the keyboards are often used as mat behind everything else. Talking about the production, it is hefty (the bass guitar is finely audible, thank you), quite clean and generally well done.

The vocals fluctuate between different growls. There are really deep ones and there are rather high-pitched stuff. They aren't as strong as Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis), or as shrieky as Dani Filth (Cradle Of Filth), though. Plus there's some real Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth) doppelganger vocals . Still, quite good job! There is some clean vocals heard a few times, but they are kept on the background, and for a good reason because they are very average. Playing-wise this is good all-around, but nothing flashy.

Moonshade have made an album, that is listenable for the fans of first three aforementioned bands and genre they operate in, but might leave its listener cold and wanting that real deal of similar music to beat the appetite for real. Maybe this does that for some folks, who knows?! There is only one way to find out, so you decide: 'Upon Your Ashes' is a good piece to start with if you're going for this...

Rating: 6½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
12/10/2018 19:48