Moonblood – Blut & Krieg (1996)

July 9, 2024

I hope it is not too cringeworthy to suggest that this is a beautiful piece of black metal. In fact, it’s one of the best pieces of work that I’ve ever heard in the genre. Now, I guess this is subjective, but it’s the perfect mix of rawness and obscure production, with enough balance in the warmth of the sound to ensure all elements are present and accounted for. The songs on Blut & Krieg are not overly melodious but they do have their moments, especially with the synths coming in periodically to really back up a particular phrase or movement.

Vocally, this thing is absolutely fucking incredible, with a raspy bark in the German language which automatically reminds me of Absurd, but peppered in the mix are a series of reverb-drenched high screeches which are somewhere between Varg Vikernes and King Diamond. Great shit all round, solid as fuck, dark and evil as fuck.