First thing that called my attention was the look I gave to the beautiful CD cover. The problem is I was not – I am still not – able to recognize what exactly is the girl holding. It seems to me a human figure that is representing the Earth. That would make sense with the album tittle “Beyond.” Now, musicwise, the second thing that called my attention was the aggressive take Moonlight Gaze gave to the welcoming and tittle track “Beyond.” Before the sweet and calm beginning with a delicate piano comes “Tame the Storm,” with an angry and frantic guitar riff that wins the night. The bounces vocalist Chiara Tricarico does with a harsh, almost Leather Leone’s with a classic and operatic ones is just amazing. It is incredible the way the lady does it. Of course, there must be some studio tricks, but even so.
This is the third Moonlight Gaze‘s album we have reviewed here so far. The most interesting thing is that I had this bell tolling telling me I already know the band, but you all know how this works. My memory does no serve me right as it should, you all can see that. Well, in fact, now I can say that what attracted me to Moonlight Gaze‘s music is that it is more exciting than other Symphonic Metal bands. The band is able to build up songs with uptempo songs plus more excitiment and fury; the necessary fury Metal music needs. Even the guitar solos are less melodic and more aggressive as in grand finale “Awakening.“ Take, for instance, the 1980’s Judas Priest‘s “Turbo” era inspired guitar riff of “Untold.” Intentionally or not, the track has very similar electronic effects. Pay attention to the drumming of “Time to Go” and tell it is not more exciting than the average Symphonic bands. The same happens, as I said before, with vocalist Chiara Tricarico’s voice that goes from a harsh Leather Leone’s to Tarja Turunen in a heartbeat. It is not for everyone.
Moonlight Gaze‘s music bounces into the traditional Symphonic Metal grip to Old School Heavy Metal titanic force. Some tracks do it inside them as “Crystallized,” with lots of electronic effects. “Chase the Light,” for instance keeps the fierce guitars and combine them with the melodic vocals and keyboards. The piano of “Would You Dare?” works as in intro to an aggressive guitar work with an Old School Heavy Metal take. This combination is what I am talking about in the album. These are the things that make the band stand out from the crowd of Symphonic Metal bands.
Moonlight Gaze “Beyond” will be released on May 23rd via Scarlet Records.
Track Listing:
1. Beyond
3. Crystallized
5. Would You Dare?
6. L’Eco Del Silenzio
7. D.N.A. (Do Not Apologize)
8. Untold
9. Time to Go
10. Awakening
11. A Brand New Sky (CD bonus track)
Watch “Tame the Storm” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!