I'm pretty sure I've seen these guys live either at Bloodstock, Wacken, or somewhere. I've certainly had quite a few people recommend them to me. They're "EPIC" in concept with three 12 or 15 minute offerings, and by all rights should be ticking all my Battle Metal boxes with "the Valhalla choral ensemble" and the "marching band of the post apocalyptic army" providing weight and background.

To be honest though, it's wallpaper metal. A term I've used before, I know! Put it on in the background, and it's fine, but nothing at all sticks out or is memorable about the vocals or the tracks themselves. The vocalist has clear Danny Filth aspirations, which annoys the hell out of me. With music this epic, would a clear tune, and vocal be too much to ask for? You know what, if you cant be arsed to sing properly, I really can't be bothered to read your lyrics to find out what all the fuss is about!

And I think therein lies the problem, I probably have seen this band at Wacken, but stood by the stage for fifteen minutes and wondered when is it all going to get going? Sure, it sounds grand enough, and there are some great riffs going on, but actually they are all rather stock, and from any other band of the genre.. There could even be a story going on, who knows? and who cares?. Either put in a narrator, or get someone singing. Actually, from memory I probably gave em fifteen minutes and went back to the beer garden. The concept behind the album is apparently "life after the end of the world, and is a story of desolate bleak landscapes and faint fading homes" according to vocalist Ville Sorvalli, Well mate, you've certainly achieved bleakness, but perhaps made it too bleak and unmemorable in doing so.

It really is heavy going stuff, and it reminds me of Bergman's 'Seventh Seal', widely rated as a classic, with iconic imagery of the Devil playing chess, but boy; it's depressing stuff for a night out. This is about the same feeling you get from the packaging and booklet too. Turisas and Ensiferum are really doing this stuff far better, and with much more memorable tunes, making it a lot more accessible to the fans. No doubt they're, coming to more festivals near you across Europe. I expect it will be raining, whilst these guys are on.  My advice...stay in your tent and keep the JD warm!

http://www.myspace.com/moonsorrow