It’s about to get dark earlier, and the weather is supposed to take a nosedive, or at least that’s what the calendar would lead you to believe. As I write this, autumn has arrived, and it was hot enough here on the East Coast of the United States that my dog tapped out on a walk. And she never does that. But one of these days, it will be time for scares and chills.
While I’m sure Light of the Morning Star didn’t create their new EP “Wings in the Night Sky” specifically to act as a partner for this time of the year, these four tracks fit these months like a blood-soaked glove. This project that pairs vocalist/multi-instrumentalist O-A and drummer JSM (who also crushes worlds in Ulcerate) ended their three-year silence with this brooding, alluring collection that sinks even deeper into the oceans of despair. The music centers on the grave, which might seem obvious simply from the haunting nature of the music. But they throw in elements of discovering strange pathways and “ghostly vampirism,” and you have something that will shake you to the bone.
“Night Falls” plays with elements of dark and light right away, melodies seeping in as O-A ‘s deep singing adds a thickness to their gothic drama. Creaky speaking sends chills, and total darkness is conjured, the chorus digging into your psyche before this phantom fades away. “Burial Chamber Cold” is doomy, breathy singing setting the aura, keys washing over as the fog in the distance begins to accumulate. Guitars hang in the air as the pace picks up, drilling through cold, dreary evening, winds chilling before an abrupt end. “Phantomlights” is faster, whispers whipping through the air, guitars spiraling as O-A’s singing rushes to the surface. Icy waters gush and soak, leaving you quaking, then the chorus hits back again, flowing into a fluid end. Closer “Aura” is melodic and stimulating, synth building as voices turn cataclysmic, keys creating a miasmal atmosphere that causes psychic confusion. The singing turns more sinister, guitars stinging as whispers slip back in, sounds melting into oblivion, bowing to eternal lightlessness.
With the spookiest of times just about upon us, it’s perfect listening atmosphere with Light of the Morning Star and this great EP “Wings in the Night Sky.” Their blend of gothic, chilling metal and dark rock swells and creates a disarming storm that obscures light and should perfectly soundtrack the coming chills in the air. This is a nice appetizer and a solid building block to their next full-length, which will be another attempt for them to sink their teeth deep into your neck.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/lightofthemorningstar
To buy the album (North America), go here: https://debemurmorti.aisamerch.com/
Or here (Europe): https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/12-eshop
For more on the label, go here: https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/
Meat Mead Metal 