In 2019, I missed the release of 'De Rerum Natura', the first album of the Italian group 'Moonlight Haze' and it is therefore with 'Lunaris' that I discovered this combo led by the front woman 'Chiara Tricarico' (who is no stranger since she was the singer of 'Temperance' and who also has another project with the Italian formation 'Ravenword') and drummer and keyboardist 'Giulio Capone' ('Timo Tolkki's Avalon' and also ex 'Temperance' among others), album which comes out just a year after its predecessor, which it shows the capacity of this group to provide us with material to put us between the ears. A first listen shows an undeniable talent for direct and melodic titles which are tamed on the spot in a style mixing power metal and symphonic metal.
With 'Till the End', we are right on foot in a powerful and energetic symphonic metal with influences from formations like 'Delain', 'Visions Of Atlantis' or 'Xandria', then 'The Rabbit of the Moon' continues this momentum with a very 'Nightwishian' catchy melody, and 'Lunaris' drives home the point with a magnificent performance by 'Chiara Tricarico' who pays herself the luxury of recording both vocal registers. After this promising start, 'Under Your Spell' marks a power ballad break with melodic lines that would make people jealous of the profession, and it is left with 'Enigma', mixing symphonic and power with a new heady melody which is sung in Italian, brings, for my part, this warmer side, then 'Wish Upon a Scar' further increases the tempo for a fast track and 'The Dangerous Art Of Overthinking' offers us in an epic and symphonic atmosphere, magnificent variations of intensity and tempos that makes it one of my favorites. We continue with titles always at the same level, first of all a lively 'Without You', then the very beautiful ballad with folk accents 'Of Birth And Death' and finally 'Nameless City' between East and West which takes us on a admirable symphonic fresco in the atmospheres of 'Epica' with grandiose choirs, the album ending with the English version of Enigma'.
In summary, the Italians of 'Moonlight Haze' confirm with this 2nd album, a talent and an admirable potential which should place them rather quickly in the front pack of the formations of symphonic metal and 'Lunaris' can only please to all lovers of symphonic metal of the tenors of the genre... | |
