Finnish melodic black metal outfit Moonlight Sorcery unleashes their debut full-length album, “Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle,” a chilling blizzard of icy riffs and haunting melodies. Released in September 2023, the album marks the culmination of the band’s musical evolution, following their well-received EPs “Piercing Through the Frozen Eternity” (2022) and “Nightwind: Conqueror from the Stars” (2023).
“Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle” is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a cohesive narrative experience. The nine tracks interweave to tell a single story, each song picking up where the last one left off. Fans of Moonlight Sorcery’s previous work will find a familiar blend of elements here. The album retains the atmospheric grandeur of “Piercing Through the Frozen Eternity” while incorporating the raw aggression of “Nightwind: Conqueror from the Stars.” However, “Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle” pushes the boundaries even further, introducing more prominent melodic hooks and dazzling displays of shredding guitar work.
The band’s unique sound is further enhanced by the chilling presence of frozen synth walls. This creates a sonic landscape that’s both hauntingly beautiful and aggressively unforgiving, a quality that’s difficult to find in the black metal genre.
“Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle” is a must-listen for fans of melodic black metal and anyone seeking a truly immersive musical experience. With its epic storytelling, unrelenting intensity, and innovative soundscapes, Moonlight Sorcery has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene.
For fans who want to delve deeper, the album is available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats from the band’s Bandcamp page [Moonlight Sorcery Bandcamp]. Additionally, a full album premiere can be found on YouTube [Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Full Album Premiere)].
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