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Band: Coldbound
Album title: Rites Under Moonlight
Release date: 28th October 2015
Label: Black Lion Production
Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Deep Into The Woods
03. Fullmoon Delirium
04. Origins Of Black Sun
05. Devil's Universe
06. Moon, Dweller Beneath Stars
07. Ice Cold Part I
08. Ice Cold Part II
09. Rites Under Moonlight
10. Outro
The Finnish band Coldbound is actually a one-man band, a solo project, lead by Rabjorn who is better known as a vocalist in a well known Norwegian black metal band Arvas. Coldbound's latest album, his third full-lenght, is not only a black metal album – it is a mixture of epic, atmospheric, doom/black metal with melodic piano chords along with dark, murderous and cold tones. Rites Under Moonlight is composed by intro, outro and eight very dark, epic, cold, nature, suicidal and atmospheric songs.
At the beginning the intro appears literally boring and emotionally soothing, but this atmosphere lasts for 38 seconds, when proper distortion and drumming prevail in the song "Deep Into The Woods".
There are no lyrics featured in the album, due to artists personal reasons. The title of the song itself gives enough information about the topic, so immerse yourself into the music and explore the quality of the performer, his style and his natural tradition. What we hear is a very good and almost perfect vocal technique.
The music in "Devil's Universe", beside distortion guitar sounds, bass and very quick but probably a bit too gentle drums, emphasises occult and death, however there are slow doom inserts in all songs. This style, along with the mix doom and black metal, make this album full of atmospheric situations which lead even faster to a kind suicidal atmosphere.
"Deep Into The Woods" is the longest, almost epic, more than 9 minutes long song, "Origins Of Black Sun" is another very long, dark atmospheric song, however it is defenitely the best black metal song on this album, if not mentioning a blackened masterpiece "Fullmoon Delirium". The next position goes to the song "Rites Under Moonlight" – it is professionally orientated at all present impact on the overall style and genre of music. This songs reveals the author's nature as well as the true character of the Coldbound group. The first impact to this is shown as well on the cover artwork.
The only part about Coldbound's project that seems a bit problematic to me is the mixture of the sound and the production. So, due to this aspect, the album, Rites Under Moonlight, deprives the audience for the perfection of the guitar sound, while what concerns the drums, the snare in blast beats are barely heard, the drums do not have enough power.
A proper mix and properly tuned drums are the basic structure for the whole music. However, vocals, bass guitar and most parts of the rhythm section are just excellent.
To all lovers of black metal and atmospheric-doom-darkness-nature-suicidal music: you won't be spending more than you would spent for a six pack of beers if you decide to buy Coldbound's Rites Under Moonlight album - the difference is that Rites Under Moonlight is worth more than just a six pack. To those who have met Colbound for the first time by reading this review, I suggest the best thing to do is to check Coldbound's discography on the web or listen to their music on YouTube. I support this project for 100% and have a deep respect for the author's effort he put into this project as well as for his work with his main band Arvas.
The best songs of the album: "Fullmoon Delirium", "Devil's Universe", "Rites Under Moonlight" and "Origins Of Black Sun".
Review written by: Imago Mortis
Rating: 9/10
Disclaimer: This is a guest review and it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the Terra Relicta staff.
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