Listenable Records (2012)
Another foray into an act unknown to my critical ear s- Moonloop hail from Barcelona, Spain, refining their progressive death metal wares since 2001and subsequently recording three demos between 2004 to 2007. In the following years they’ve been able to play a series of festivals in their home country, open shows for prominent acts like Finntroll, Cynic, and Isole and spend a few years working on their debut album “Deeply From The Earth”. This record is a 10 song, 60 minute odyssey into powerful guitar riffing, multiple vocal inflections from death to clean and atmospheric undertones that keep the quartet alert and sharp when it comes to painting sonic portrayals specifically from their well of inspiration and instrumental abilities.
The guitar structures and tempos favor a modern groove aspect not dissimilar to Gojira, but the chord changes and key signature maneuvers are more in line with the early Opeth efforts. “Deceiving Time” for instance opens its 7:38 arrangement with this emotive wah wah enhanced solo, very old school against an acoustic guitar accompaniment before the crushing electric death proceedings and stair step riff antics and forward thinking drum parts win you over. Exotic harmonics enter at times on the more mid-tempo offerings, such as “Beginning Of The End” or the slightly twisted “Legacy Of Fear” where bassist Vic Granell and drummer Raul Payan go from this comfortable, slower groove to an all-out blasting assault from one riff to the next. “Wailing Road” is one of the softer songs Moonloop delivers, guitarist Eric Baule using a psychedelic, almost weeping framework with Moody Blues-like clean melodies with the occasional inclusion of progressive electric chops while rhythm guitarist Juanjo Martin delivers some stirring, energetic crunch and aggression as a counterbalance.
Due to maturation and evolution, Opeth choose to focus more on progressive rock these days and leave much of their death metal roots aside. For those who want similarity in the older discography from those Swedes, but with a touch of exotic and modern atmospheric exploration- “Deeply From The Earth” would bring much happiness to your music world.
www.myspace.com/moonloopmusic
www.facebook.com/listenablerecs
Rating: 4.5 / 6
Composed by Matt Coe