‘Untenkutoja’ is the opener to this epic, grand and masterful brief visit from these relatively newcomers to the world of atmospheric black metal. The track opens with a ferocious swirling wind and a piano score then sitting on top of it. Delicate and decadent in equal measure, it is crafted with precision, fragility, and grace and leads you into the realms of elegant and refined beauty before track two is unleashed upon us and we are welcomed to beauty but of a less obvious form.

‘For Thy Light Is Ice’ opens with impressive key work before an almost trademark Finnish black metal rawness hits us full on. Moonlight Sorcery have only existed since 2018 yet there is a certain maturity and growth built into this track, it is cavernous, imposing, and impressive from the off. The guitar work is mesmerising, ferocious and elaborate, solos are injected into the track at a moments notice and these are maniacal and complex, complementing the body of the track with ease. The vocals are spat out with determination and authority, each word having a belief sitting behind it, a belief that it is delivering your last sermon to you in your final hour of need.

‘Ice-Veiled Spell’ is demonic from the start and the speed at which is delivered is impressive beyond its years. The drums come out of the shadows and deliver a lesson in brutality and violence, each beat is dispensed with dominance and impressive competence. Mid track, and the various elements come together to create a fluidity to the track, the band seem to morph into one, rather than stand alone as they did during the opening minute or two. Again, we are treated to guitar solos which demand respect, each solo being included at carefully measured and poignant moments of the track, whilst the core of the track is being managed with ease by the barbaric and barbarous beating of the drum kit.

‘Wolven Hour’ appears a little more technical and power led. The band seem more cohesive, delivering a shade more melody which sits beautifully behind the raw and aggressive vocals. The song is versatile, in one breath it is muscular and harmonious whilst on the next breath it is being carried along on a stripped back and mutilated carcass yet keeping a subtle beauty about it. Again, keys are used in the track, dancing with the drums mid track which then leads into an inspired guitar piece which is built with absolutely venomous and toxic vocals sitting astride it.

EP closer, ‘Hauta-alttari’ is less inflamed than its predecessors yet this does not detract from the raw and malevolent soul. The track has spoken word infused into its essence, this is far from a detracting distraction though, instead it builds an air of hostility and mystery into the proceedings. A fresh approach which only builds on the elaborate and complex body of the work rather than instil any degree of negativity into this black metal success.

This may be a brief work of art, but it is an impressive and striking one throughout. These Suomi greenhorns may be seen as adolescent and innocent when compared to some of their more established peers, but take the label and origin away from this release and you could easily mistake it for one of the many current black metal household names we are so fondly accustomed to

(9/10 Phil Pountney)

https://www.facebook.com/moonlight.sorcery

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/piercing-through-the-frozen-eternity