Mound of Orchids - Silhouettes EP

Labels: Self-Released/Fiadh Productions

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 17 Apr 2026

Tracklist:

1. Silhouette of Faith

2. Of Sinew and Blood

3. Swallow Your Sorrow

Blackgaze, the sub-genre that was born out of shoegaze (while encompassing black metal and screamo) is producing some really interesting bands at the moment. The majority are still pretty unknown outside of their local areas, which is certainly the case for Mound of Orchids from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They released their debut EP Silhouettes in April on digital platforms and Fiadh Productions have also released a tape version.

To spread their music before the EP release and to hone their sound, they played alongside a whole host of really great bands across their home state including Italy's Radura (who'll be releasing their newest LP via Dog Knights Productions later this year), Ragana, Sunrot and Respire to name but a few. I'm excited to hear this.

It’s not often that a release starts with piano as majestic as that which opens ‘Silhouette of Faith’. It’s a gentile way to ease into what becomes post-metal tinged blackgaze. It’s atmospheric and anthemic, thanks to the instrumentation while the vocals are very blackened for the most part. Clean vocals are used in the song’s latter half, when the music settles into a brief period of calm. Even though that calm is shattered towards the end, there’s still a sense of brightness.

That opener stretched to over six minutes and it was worth every second. ‘Of Sinew and Blood’ that follows is somewhat shorter and a lot more pensive (if that’s the right word). The harsh vocals sit much deeper in the mix and at a lower volume, as melodic guitars and other musical elements are allowed to breathe. Perfect for an early morning autumn sunrise perhaps.

Ending with ‘Swallow Your Sorrow’, Mound of Orchids go even more expansive. Their black metal/blackgaze hits top gear straight away but it isn’t long before more engrossing instrumentals and clean vocals regain their place on the recording. An awful lot of thought and time has gone into writing these songs and it shows. The contrast between heavy and light on this song in particular is what makes it work so well, as even when it gets heavier later on, it never feels oppressive.

With such a stirring end to the EP, it’s hard not to feel emotional. I found myself reflecting on where I am in life right now and whether or not I’m merely existing. That’s the power that music can have and Mound of Orchids are able to harness that power to create something greater than just notes, and words.

You can stream and purchase Silhouettes digitally via bandcamp below:-

Mound of Orchids - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093998209912

Tape copies from Fiadh Productions are sold out. 

Fiadh Productions - https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions

Viamaer - In lumine lunae

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 29 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. In excitatione terrae

2. In lumine lunae

3. Dimensio mortis

4. Ultra insaniam

5. Liberum arbitrium

6. Haec vox

7. Magna paranoia

8. Smaragdus somnium

A few weeks ago a copy of the debut album from Polish post-black metal/shoegaze act Viamaer dropped through my letter box. In lumine lunae was self-released in January by sole member Krystian Jurkiewicz (also a member of Polish Thrash/Groove metallers Steamachine). This is a record full of Krystian's personal experiences, yet it's also written with the listener in mind. Let's put that to the test...

All of the song titles here (alongside the album title) are in Latin, so forgive me for not translating them. Starting with ‘In excitatione terrae’, Viamaer immediately surprises with music that sounds so clean and melodic. The instrumentation early on is slightly jarring due to a subtle disconnect with the percussion but that’s soon resolved, as the vocals (varying between clean singing and harsh growls) take center stage. The vocals are used sparingly in between the vast instrumental approach of Viamaer though, which is very good indeed.

I’m not a linguist but I think the vocals are being delivered in Polish, Viamaer’s mother tongue (please correct me if I’m wrong here!). The language doesn’t really matter though, as title-track ‘In lumine lunae’  presents itself with so much atmosphere and progression. Viamaer’s bandcamp page recommends  Asunojokei and Ghost Bath as similar bands, which aren’t too far off actually. ‘Dimensio mortis’ might come across as something morbid, but it’s anything but. The instrumentation grows with every bar, sounding very upbeat. The clean vocals sit deeper on the recording, which is quite disappointing actually. All elements come together in the latter-half though, as harsh vocals join the melodic vocals and heavier instrumentation, lifting the tempo and mood on the record.

‘Ultra insaniam’ is the album’s shortest song and as such, it’s a lot calmer in delivery. It’s actually a lot closer to Scandinavian melodic metal than anything else, which is certainly no bad thing. It’s also another really strong example of how creative one individual can be, as Krystian shows during its instrumental entirety. Crossing to the album’s latter-half, ‘Liberum arbitrum’ is gently choral but that gentleness leads into some of the most pummelling percussion so far.

In truth, it’s a record that flows in unexpected directions and is definitely the work of a musician trying to find their sound. ‘Liberum arbitrum’ is the album’s lengthiest song conversely to the one it follows, yet it’s better because of that fact. A lot doomier and earthier for me. ‘Haec vox’ features some truly beguiling guitar that’s retained throughout. The clean vocals are more front and center at times here, but Viamaer’s blackgaze/shoegaze influence does mean that they are still buried within the mix at times. The same can’t be said for the harsh vocal though.

Penultimate number ‘Magna paranoia’ strikes me as Viamaer’s most complete songs on In lumine lunae. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve now spent a good couple of hours with this record or because it just sounds a lot more rounded musically, but something’s definitely clicked. Closer ’Smaragdus somnium’ is another loverly instrumental piece. It rounds out the album in confident fashion.

As I mentioned earlier in the review, Viamaer is a band finding it’s sound. As the album progresses, that sound takes shape and grows in confidence. There’s already an acoustic session available on bandcamp that re-works some of the songs present here, so that tells you that Viamaer isn’t sitting still. A band that’s well worth your time.

You can stream and purchase In lumine lunae digitally below, where it's also available from Viamaer on CD:-

Viamaer - https://www.facebook.com/viamaer

Light/Moongazer/A Rose Dying In The Rain - Sundrowning 3-Way Split

Labels: Self-Released/Fiadh Productions

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 06 Dec 2024

Tracklist: 

1. Light - Everflowing Rivers

2. Moongazer - Lilac

3. A Rose Dying in the Rain - Starry Eyes Like Late Sunset

In December of 2024, three blackgaze/ambient black metal bands joined forces and released a split together. Italy's Light, Moongazer from the US and Mexico's A Rose Dying In The Rain put said release online digitally for both streaming and purchase. Prolific US label Fiadh Productions announced a tape release via press mail-out earlier this year and feature the split on their Soundcloud page too; however, after scouring their socials and bandcamp, it doesn't appear to have materialised yet (please correct if I'm wrong and have missed it, or if it's still due for release!). Whatever the situation, I feel it's only right to champion these bands and their split.

This is an epic split release. One that’s typical amongst underground metal bands, especially those who lean towards black metal. It begins with the song ‘Everflowing Rivers’ by Italy’s Light, which is also it’s longest song. Gentle, soothing guitar melodies open the split in glorious fashion, in some ways reminiscent of compatriots like Earth And Pillars, Falaise and others besides. As it builds with additional layers of percussion and ambience, you’re encouraged to relax before Light unleashes harsh yet uplifting black metal vocals upon you. Amongst the backdrop of the vast cinematic instrumentation, it’s hard to feel anything but adulation for what’s coming out of the speakers. 

The latter half of the song is filled with so many layers; from the aforementioned guitar/ambient melodies, to the throat-scraping vocals and beautifully executed choral singing too. As opening songs go, this is gonna be hard to beat. I feel so energised after that, especially as the sun in coming out around me after such a grey and miserable day here. It’s apt though that America’s Moongazer are up next, as we head ever closer to evening darkness. ‘Lilac’ is also truly beautiful, with even more swathes of melody and ambience. The dissonance from the guitars may shock at first, but it soon nestles comfortably within Moongazer’s enthralling sound.

The further you get into this release, the greater it becomes. There’s a huge feeling of positivity about it, which aligns with how I feel in general right now. I hope it makes you feel the same. To close out this split, Mexico’s A Rose Dying In The Rain provide the cosmic, synth-laden ’Starry Eyes Like Late Sunset’. It’s heavily instrumental and when the band’s vocals join the mix, they’re slightly deeper. Their position doesn’t do any harm at all though, as there’s an authentic and organic feel to the whole song. There isn’t really anything else I can say to describe this release at this point.

All three bands are breathtaking and deserved of any attention they receive. I know a lot of people will pour scorn on so-called “blackgaze” bands but in an environment where genres are constantly getting blurred, they definitely have their place. If you’re still unsure, give this a chance. Light, Moongazer and A Rose Dying In The Rain deserve greater attention after this.

You can stream and purchase the split below:-

Moongazer's bandcamp:-

A Rose Dying In The Rain's bandcamp:-

Moongazer - https://www.facebook.com/moongazerofficial / Instagram - @moongazerofficial

A Rose Dying In The Rain - https://www.facebook.com/aroserainofficial/ / Instagram - @aroserainofficial

Fiadh Productions - https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions

Moongazer - Gone

Labels: Silentium In Foresta Records/Larry Records

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 29 Jul 2021

Tracklist:

1. This Wretched Existence

2. Catatonic

3. Please Don't Go

This review features a band that is new to me and a release that I was due to help promote via a premiere (at least the tape version anyway), but some things don't always work out so I decided I would write about it anyway. Gone is the debut EP from US depressive black metal/blackgaze project Moongazer. It was originally self-released digitally back in July of last year, before seeing a CD release via Mexican label Silentium In Foresta Records (which includes the bonus track 'Rumination'). US label Larry Records picked it up for a tape release shortly afterwards, with the run selling out just as we slid into 2022. With a hint that more maybe coming out later this month, it seems like a good time to give this a spin.

It’s a strange existence that we reside in right now, somewhere beyond normality yet accepting what we have as just that. In uncertain times we find ourselves grasping onto art or possessions that we might not have held so dear before and that certainly counts where music is concerned. Moongazer seems to understand this (whether on purpose or not) and EP (or maybe album?) opener ‘This Wretched Existence’ is aptly presented with both cold extremity and warm melody. Distancing itself from you but also extending it’s hand out in friendship. 

With the use of melancholic guitar, percussion that turns from sensitive to mournfully blasting and vocals that are both ice cold up front, and subtly choral behind, the opener really strikes a chord, as does the piano towards the end. ’ Catatonic’ is an otherworldly piece that features a lot of ambience and noise. It’s unnerving but then I guess it’s supposed to be. Not everything in this life is meant to be comforting. 

Sadness and self-reflection truly prevails on final song ‘Please Don’t Go’. It’s the record’s longest song and as such, it’s most expansive too. Moongazer weaves into it familiar black metal and lighter instrumentation that seems to move between genres. Whatever you feel about black metal and extreme music in general, you’ll be hard pressed to dismiss this release if you’re a genuine music lover. That such beauty and creativity can come from one person, no matter how obscure, is amazing. 

I’m not going to say anything else except listen to Gone and buy it in any format you can. You won’t regret it.

You can stream and purchase the release digitally from Moongazer's bandcamp page below:-

Moongazer - https://www.facebook.com/moongazerofficial

Physical CD copies can be purchased from Silentium In Foresta Records below (only five copies remain):-

https://silentiuminforestarecords.bandcamp.com/album/moongazer-gone

There may be more copies coming from Larry Records, but I'll correct this if not.

Larry Records - https://www.facebook.com/larryscrammo

Silentium In Foresta Records - https://www.facebook.com/SilentiumInForestaRecords

Nuitville - When The Darkness Falls

Labels: Ashen Dominion

Formats; CD/Digital

Release Date: 10 June 2019

Tracklist:

1. When The Darkness Falls

2. Cold Water

3. Recueillement (Amesoeurs Cover)

I'm not afraid to say that I enjoy Deafheaven and similar bands. Alcest too, although I appreciate that the two are considered poles apart by those who know their black metal better than I. Ukrainian blackgaze band Nuitville is one that I hope I can hold in as high regard and the solo-project's first release "When The Darkness Falls" is my introduction, having been released last month via compatriot label Ashen Dominion.

Choral and Stirring are not words used to describe black metal too often but Nuitville’s mix of BM and shoegaze is definitely considered so. Avant-garde but also heavy with plenty of melody and the sensitive use of harsh vocals on the opening title-track make it something very unique indeed. There are so many facets to this that it’s hard to describe in just one listen (I’m live-reviewing again).

Cold Water is more immediate in its delivery and also due to its shorter length, more urgent in the tempo department. That being said, it’s still really engrossing and enjoyable, especially when the clean singing takes hold. It’s hard to believe that this has been written and is being performed by one person. 

Lastly, Nuitville covers Recueillement by French black metal/post-punk band Amesoeurs and it’s a great fit for the band’s sound. The melodic riffs are more pronounced and the level of ambience is very uplifting. The air is hot and humid again tonight but this is perfect as it washes over with it’s cooling atmosphere and instrumentation. A short EP then but one that’s filled with great promise, both musically and stylistically. 

You can stream "When The Darkness Falls" and buy it on CD and digitally via Ashen Dominion below:-

Nuitville - https://www.facebook.com/nuitville

Ashen Dominion - https://www.facebook.com/ashendominion/