From the Vault: Secrets of the Moon - Antithesis (2006)

Band: Secrets of the Moon
Album: Antithesis
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Germany
Label: Lupus Lounge
Released: 15th September 2006

Preamble & Introduction

Whenever people talk about favourite black metal bands I have always listed Secrets of the Moon among the top. I'm usually met with the response of "oh I don't know them", but when someone does know them it's always an immediate "oh hell yeah, those guys are amazing". They're seemingly a band that snuck under the radar for a lot of the scene, but those who do know them are dedicated in their admiration. 

Nicknamed the chameleons of black metal, their ability to seamlessly change their sound from album to album creating broad strokes of versatility always meant each album sounded fresh and unique. They did depart from this genre towards the last two albums as they changed to a more gothic metal/rock with grunge elements during Sun and Black House - which if anything really does show off their talented adaptability.

I was gutted when they disbanded in 2022, as even with their change of genre I remained a fan until the end and they've remained a band I listen to very often. 

Sadly, despite my deep admiration of this band I never got a chance to see them live. Imagine my delight when they announced a reunion tour for the 20th anniversary of Antithesis. I couldn't miss this. 

Antithesis released in 2006, and had the impossible task of following up Carved in Stigmata Wounds (2004) which in my opinion is a pure 10/10 and their magnum opus (perhaps I'll do a vault review in the future for that). So let's dive in.

Antithesis

So here we are, two decades on and it’s time to see how this album holds up.

A fuzzy bassy intro and some light cymbal work open us off to this magnificent album that is ready to gradually unfold over the course of an hour. The subtly simple guitar chords of Nowhere (11:18) resonate and give us a taste of this albums unassuming character.

Straight off the bat, this album has definitely got a noticeably cleaner or more polished tone compared to their previous entry of Carved in Stigmata Wounds which had a more eerie feel to it and almost experimental at times. The guitars are punchy with solid fast riffs dominating the soundscape, the basslines are rich and full to perfectly compliment them, and the drumming is full of beautiful cymbal work. 

The tempo of this album is a mid-tempo trudge to a devastating doomy effect but ebbs and flows to have such emotional influence upon each piece. Occasionally slower riffs echo through with serenity such as during Versus and the creeping introduction of Ordinance as glimpses of respite. These moments are but fleeting and not something that lasts as each time we are thrown into an acceleration of a frenzied pace with striking impacts.

Their lyrical themes of the existentialism intertwined with the occult are at some of their strongest on this album, and beautifully compliment the darker inflection that this album holds. Divine indifference and the destructive side of the human nature are on full display through symbolic language, and I can’t not mention the whispered vocals of Metamorphoses which is entirely in Latin taken from the epic poem of the same name by Roman poet Ovid dated 8CE.

Brooding in nature, songs like Ghost and Seraphim is Dead are enveloped in a deceivingly melancholic accent, but match the ominous melodies that strengthen this album. Well balanced is the name of the game here, it establishes the doomy aesthetic and excels at seamlessly blending this into the fierce black metal that they are known for from previous releases.

And as Exit appropriately closes this album, it gives you a moment to reflect on what you just heard.

A sharply written album which manages to embed hooks deep within you with chugging headbanging riffs, enthralling hypnotic verses, and captivating choruses that you can’t help but want to chant along to.

Conclusion

This album portrays a deep commitment of mastering their craft, and is evident through such finely forged song writing. 

It was an album that grew on me through time, when I discovered Secrets of the Moon during lead up to Seven Bells (2012) I unfortunately did not give enough attention to Antithesis or Privilegium as they didn’t have the more Deathspell Omega-esque approach that Carved in Stigmata Wounds did, nor the more grand choir-like Keep of Kalessin approach that Seven Bells did. Yet now I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to skip a single track in these quietly complex experiences. 

I'll be travelling to Munich for Dark Easter Metal Meeting, which has an incredible lineup already but seeing Secrets of the Moon for the first time (and potentially my only time) could not be passed up and was the deciding factor on my ticket purchase.

BMZ Rating: 9/10

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