Album Review: Moonshade - Dream | Oblivion

Moonshade - Dream | Oblivion

Date of Release: 05/07/14

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Website: https://www.facebook.com/moonshadeofficial     http://moonshadeofficial.bandcamp.com/album/dream-oblivion

Reviewed by: Geoff McGraw

9 out of 10 horns

Track listings: 1. I. A Bleak Sunrise (Intro) 2. II. Dawn Of A New Era 3. III. Goddess Eternal 4. IV. The Depths Of Despair (Interlude) 5. V. Genesis 3.5 6. VI. Fall To Oblivion 7. VII. Into The Abyss (Outro)

Hailing from Portugal Moonshade is a 5 piece outfit, and Dream|Oblivion is a concept album revolving around the protagonists search and failure to find inner peace in our world, finding it only in the arms of death.

Now concept albums often have a bad reputation, or the "concept" of a concept album has a bad reputation. Often ponderous overwrought affairs during which a band attempts to force the songs they write to fit into the framework they have preconceived.

Moonshade has neatly sidestepped these pitfalls and produced an album that is haunting and aching, even beautiful. Not a one trick pony with nothing but blast beats and brutal riffage with keyboards providing the "melody" added to the "death metal", they deftly weave a tapestry of atmosphere, with both technical and passionate playing. Adding chorus like backup vocals that would not be out of place in power metal just cranks the feel and power emanating from your speakers. Vocalist Ricardo Pereira skillfully shifts from the gutteral to wails, and even the pleasant surprise of well executed clean vocals.

The band claims influence from the likes of Insomium, Dark Tranquility, Amon Amarth and Wintersun. (I have to believe that they may also be fans of Metalocalypse as well...lol).

I completely enjoyed Dream|Oblivion, and listened multiple times in a row truly a talented bunch of musicians. I highly recommend this album to anyone who is looking for more than a little songwriting talent in their next album purchase. Not yet available as a physical format, it is still more than worth paying for a download....and that comes from a guy who refuses to download albums.