Moloch - Abstrakter Wald

This is one of the newest releases to come from Glorious North Productions. It's another release by the prolific Ukrainian ambient Black Metal Entity, Moloch. It was recorded in 2010 during Moloch's first ever live performance 7 tracks, including to live versions of songs from Moloch's split with Tomhet, Where Winds Forever Cry. This tape is a remastered version of that recording and is limited to 100 copies only.

Abstrakter Wald translates to Abstract Forest, which is very apt, as this set was originally recorded during a session in the Carpathian Mountains.

Tracklist:-

Side A -
1. Abstrakter Wald I
2. Abstrakter Wald II
3. Abstrakter Wald III

Side B - 
4. Abstrakter Wald IV
5. Abstrakter Wald V
6. Wo die Winde für immer weinen
7. Berge umhüllt von uraltem Nebel

Abstrakter Wald begins with the first of five tracks of the same name, which have been separated into five different movements. Abstrakter Wald I is the opening movement, featuring ambient strings and keys and the howl of the wind in the background, adding to the haunting atmosphere.

As Abstrakter Wald I builds, with it's drawn out bass line, that sits below the main melodies, it's obvious that this is very different to the more black metal output that normally comes from Moloch, but for those of you who've listened to previous records, you'll notice that there is ambient influences within the music, so this set of songs shouldn't come as a surprise. The soundscapes on show are dramatic yet dreamy and they do well to keep Moloch's mystical aesthetic in tact.

All of the songs here seem to lead into each other, as if they're telling a story. Abstrakter Wald III is subtler than the previous two tracks, but nonetheless still retains the mysteriousness that has been on show throughout.

I'll be honest and say that I haven't reviewed music like this before and have found it challenging, but I guess that is what this music is supposed to do. It's there to challenge people preconceptions about music that doesn't fit into specific genres or sub-genres

Once you've turned over to side B of this release, the fourth and fifth Abstrakter Wald movements greet you. These follow the same recipe as those before. Quiet and otherworldly soundscapes that transport you to another place entirely. At this point, you do seem to get lost in the music, and the songs do seem to blur into each other to show one cohesive whole.

You're also treated to two ambient tracks from Moloch's split with Tomhet that was released in 2011, but on this releases the songs titles are in German - Wo die Winde für immer weinen and Berge umhüllt von uraltem Nebel. These tracks follow the same formula too and when the tape comes to an end, you’re left feeling incredibly relaxed and in awe of this set on songs.

To think that someone synonymous with bleak, original black metal has the vision and conviction to produce something like this, just shows the breadth of originality that is still to be unearthed within the wider metal stratosphere. While this isn't metal, it can sure as hell be appreciated as it shares a lot of the values, namely originality and integrity.

You can purchase the Abstrakter Wald tape from Glorious North Production at http://www.gloriousnorth.co.uk/products-page. It will also be released later in the year on CD.

The release will also be available from Moloch's website at http://www.moloch.com.ua

Moloch's Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/Molochukr.