CHRONOPHAGE

Ninth Moon Black's "Chronophage" is a very unusual listening experience. In fact it took me by surprise after listening it after hearing some prog metal with a traditional sound. As soon as "Chronophage" started, it was like an immersion into another world. There is something compelling though quietly unsettling about the sound the band are able to generate. In some ways it is like a more uptempo Sunn O))) with that grinding low level distortion, and yet this is not so dark as it is atmospheric. The album is fully instrumental and grinds along with deep growling guitars and bass. The band consist of Kasey on drums, Erin and Atom on guitars, Caleb on bass, and Eric on synths and guitar.

The tracks segue together and are hard to differentiate each consisting of slow distorted chord changes. At one point the melody of Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" is heard, and yet the melodies still remain quite different with other sections merging into a rather dense and murky soundscape.

I enjoyed the experience, the fact that the music is so unique, yet retains a definite post metal razor edge. The synths certainly lend a powerful spacey quality to the music. 'Bestia Devorat Tempus' is a low level nerve jangler, 'Mors Carnis' chugs along with a cool riff, and 'Animus Lumino' clocks to almost 14 minutes; hypnotic and captivating. I would say the music would appeal to those who like a darkwave metal approach. It is worth checking out and I am certain I will return to this often when the mood hits me for an ambient metal landscape.