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Band: The Moon And The Nightspirit
Album title: Holdrejtek
Release date: 15 August 2014
Label: Prophecy Productions/Auerbach Tonträger
Tracklist:
01. Mohaszentély
02. Égnyitó
03. Magban alvó
04. Bolyongó
05. Mikrokozmosz pt 1
06. Tavaszhozó
07. Mikrokozmosz pt 2
08. Álomszövo
09. Holdrejtek
Welcome to the bewitching and magical pagan world of The Moon And The Nightspirit. The Hungarian duo consisting of singer/multiinstrumentalist Ágnes Tóth and lyricist/multiinstrumentalist Mihály Szabó, brought to life in 2003 is back with their fifth studio album named Holdrejtek. In truth there are not enough words in the vocabulary to express the magical entity of their music, but let me tell you that their enchanting and compulsive creations split between medieval, folk, world, pagan and celtic music are simply out of this world. Holdrejtek is absolutely their strongest and most compact release to date, it's thematically based and influenced, like each of their albums, by deep veneration for and love of nature, yet this time approached by much more philosophical and intellectual way and less romantical. Still this doesn't mean that it has lost any of its romantic charm, contrary. Lyrics often deal with the philosophical idea of simultaneous oneness and duality of micro and macro cosmos, which is attributed to Hermes Trismegistos and his screed "Tabula Smaragdina".
It's useless to go track by track as this is one complete sonic journey divided in nine parts. It evokes the ancient flames and opens the gates in another dimension so swiftly like not so many artist can. With instruments like violin, acoustic guitar, woodwinds, piano, harp, dulcimer, many kinds of percussion and other instruments, the two are set to explore the wastelands of once forgotten mystical worlds and legends. Majestical and intriguing soundscapes are covered by enthralling ethereal vocals of Ágnes and in "Égnyitó", "Mikrokozmosz pt 1" and "Álomszövo" also by the addition of Mihálys male vocals that in a way reminded me to Raymond I. Rohonyi's (Theatre Of Tragedy) vocals on Aégis. Even if that might sound strange there's a lot of catchiness in the song structures, especially when the two comes in front with those breathtaking vocal duets. The Moon And The Nightspirit can captivate with an interesting sense to compose smooth, yet very rich, almost cinematic ambiances that can be compared in terms of effectiveness to those of Dead Can Dance, but the acts that are stylistically nearest are Norwegians Arcana or Austrians Die Verbannten Kinder Evas.
All those mostly tranquil, dreamy, but sometimes also empowered and confused song structures are full of life, they breath with the listener as all those figures created by those sounds are taking shape. It's a dance of naked nyphs around the bursting flames. It doesn't matter if the language used in lyrics is not understood, believe me that the voices and instruments used in here tell the story in such an unimaginable colourful way. Nevertheless, there's a lot of melancholy, but as well there's joy underneath the surface. Holdrejtek holds an ancient aura and engulfs its vibe from the ancient folklore and mysticism. It's essence is dark, yet pure, it's elegant and hypnotic in the most audacious way. In the end I can only suggest you all to give a chance to Holdrejtek and its amazing shading of those instruments, voices and mesmerizing energy.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 9,5/10
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