MOONLIGHT

Gothic metal is yet another metal subgenre that developed in the United Kingdom with bands like Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and Anathema all taking the death-doom metal standard into more atmospheric and gloomy mood settings. One of the unforeseen side branches of the goth metal scene is the beauty and beast vocal effect where growly male vocals were accompanied by operatic female singers and then certain bands decided to nix the growly vocal thing altogether and focus on a female fronted style of metal that mixed various styles of metal with the dreamy ambience of 80s goth bands like Dead Can Dance.

MOONLIGHT is one such band that sort of has walked the tightrope between progressive rock and gothic metal. This band was founded as far back as 1991 in Szczecin, Poland and started out as more of a trippy shoegaze type of art rock band but the band quickly discovered the power of adding some heavy metal guitar heft and quickly changed its style to become one of those early female fronted goth metal bands in the vein of The Gathering or Theatre of Tragedy. The band gained popularity in its native Poland and even found a bit of success in neighboring Germany as well as Italy despite composing lyrics exclusively in Polish.

KALPA TARU was the debut album that means "Garden of Plenty" in the Old Babylonian language. While the band of five members equally participated in the composition process, the lyrics on the other hand were primarily crafted by keyboardist Daniel Potasz and vocalist Maja Konarska. This album emerged in 1996 and although a side note in the overall history of 90s gothic metal, MOONLIGHT showcases on this debut what a truly diverse subgenre of metal that the goth subsection could be. While bands like Type O Negative excelled at slow gloomy vampiric moods and motifs, bands like MOONLIGHT adopted a completely different approach not unlike bands like Lacuna Coil only more sombre, more mysterious and more varied in style.

This debut featured 15 tracks and plays for more than 57 minutes making it a bit long however the songs are varied and more diverse than the average goth metal experience which keeps it listenable for its entirety. The star of the show is clearly lead vocalist Maja Konarska who offers a more eclectic than usual set of performances here. One certain tracks she offers tender vulnerable vocal deliveries while on others she can belt out harsh yelling. She implements both clean feminine sensual phrasings as well as rough and tough metal grit. In addition to the expected goth and progressive metal aspects of the album, there are many folk flavors as well ranging from Celtic to Middle Eastern influences which allows Konarska the opportunity to experiment with various singing styles. In fact every track seems different from the next.

Like most gothic metal, MOONLIGHT mixed a style of metal guitar heft with atmospheric keyboard moodiness. While death-doom was more common of a template in 90s goth metal, on KALPA TARU it seems more of an alternative metal mix with many passages eschewing the metal elements altogether. The arrangements are fairly unique as well and i can honestly say that this album really doesn't sound like any other of the era. While the album strength is that it is varied enough to endure an hour's worth of attention, on the other hand the downside is that it doesn't feel very cohesive either but of course a debut album consists of years of gathering enough material for a full release.

Unless you speak Polish you won't comprehend a word of this but for my ears the Polish language makes it sound even more cryptic and mysterious. Perhaps there's not as much metal in this as i would like as the emphasis on the more ethereal and atmospheric aspects are much more common and at times the album sounds more like an ethnic folk infused Dead Can Dance than a metal band but just when you think they've dropped the metal altogether the tempo picks up, a raging guitar riff enters the scene and the bass and drums follow suit. The album is actually well paced and the compositions are intricately delicate and even quirky in the off-kilter deviations from convention. Still though the melodies are easily accessible and offer an instant connection.

MOONLIGHT has released over ten album since 1996 and changed its sound many times. The band was forced to break up in 2007 due to legal conflicts with their music label Metal Mind Productions but reformed in 2015 and finally released another album in 2018. This band will not appear on many best gothic metal bands lists but it's certainly not one to be overlooked as its unique approach makes them stand out in this unique nook of progressively infused gothic rock / metal. And i cannot emphasis enough what a treat it is to soak in Maja Konarska's vocalizations. She has the perfect voice for this kind of music that fluctuates from tender and delicate to aggressive and best of all she doesn't deliver the kind of vocals you would expect at any given moment. For example during some of the aggressive metal parts she actually sounds more like Catherine Ribeiro with Alpes giving a trippy psychedelic seance kind of performance. This was a surprise that i liked this as much as i did. Keeper.

To my consideration, one of the scariest albums I've ever heard. It was the first album I heard from The polish band Moonlight and I really got into it since the very first moment. It's one album you really need to listen with great detail, alone in the dark, maybe with your headphones on or your stereo playing the music at a moderately loud volume (not that loud so you don't bother the neighbors). When I entered to progarchives.com I was surprised there were no reviews of this album, and I'm happy I can be the first one. I love the album, as I mentioned above, it is scary indeed. However, it is wonderful, the music is very varied, loud, the songs are entirely in the Polish language, which gives it a special plus to the album. I love the sequences they use as intermissions between one song and another, or introduction of other songs, they are really creepy with an old scary sound. The cover of the album is impressive, the doll head coming out of the clown's box, all dirty and broken. It is not metal, it is purely progressive experimentation to the highest level. Moonlight, incredible band. I need to listen to the first albums to see if they are better or not. But now, I'm glad I started with Integrated in the System of Guilt as an introduction to the band. Awesome!

Quite impressive debut album by this prolific (and yet not very known) polish band. The first track gave me the impression of another gothic metal band, with a non operatic female singer. But even though gothic and heavy metal are quite present here, there are lots of other elements too: symphonic keyboards, jazzy bits, folk, acoustic parts and eastern rhythms among them. The result is very interesting and shows great promise. The songs are short, but they are all very well done.

The group´s main feature is doubtless their excellent singer Maja Konarska. She has a fine voice that is strong and melodic at the same time, and she also avoids most heavy metal cliches during her performances, which is no small feat. But the musicians here are all very good and able to perform all the styles I mentioned before.Their songwriting skills and arrangements are still a bit green, but this is only their first CD, so I guess i´ll have to look for their latter day work to see how they developed through the years. Anyway, this was a nice surprise and something different to listen to, specially at the stalled gothic metal scene, where all the bands seem to follow a formula nowadays. All lyrics are sung in polish and it does suit their sound.

An interesting CD from an interesting band. If you like this kind of music, you should check it out. Final rating 3,5 stars.

They continue with the English vocals that they first started on their previous album, although there are Polish vocals on one track. This is a definite improvement over their last album and for the first time they offer up a long proggy tune at 13 1/2 minutes. Some good variety here and more atmosphere than ever.

"Ronaa" opens with experimental sounds before the song kicks in with vocals. This one rocks. Check out the guitar when the vocals stop briefly. It's heavy duty late. Great start. "Luna II" is much more laid back although it turns fuller before a minute. It settles back as contrasts continue. Man she sounds good on this record. "Meren-Re" opens with drums and guitar as reserved vocals join in. The guitar sounds so good as it's picked like on BAUER's debut. Love that sound. "Body Dialogue" opens with bass and picked guitar as keys join in. It's building. Reserved vocals a minute in. It kicks in after 2 minutes as contrasts continue. It ends in an experimental way.

"To See Yourself" is the only Polish sung track. It's DEAD CAN DANCE- like to start with those vocal melodies that come and go. Vocals come in as well. Piano after 2 minutes. "Asuu" is the epic.It opens with atmosphere as loud experimental sounds come in. PORCUPINE TREE-like synths come in around 2 1/2 minutes. Vocals a minute later are almost spoken. It's heavier 6 1/2 minutes in. Some nice drum work 8 1/2 minutes in followed by some grinding guitar. Nice ! I love when the vocals return. It settles 12 1/2 minutes in to the end in a dark and experimental manner. "Luna" opens with vocals and thick atmosphere. Drums a minute in. Guitar before 4 minutes. "Goodnight" features some guest strings that continue throughout with emotional vocals. A moving track.

A solid 4 stars for this their sixth album.

There's a change in direction on MOONLIGHT's fifth studio album as Maja sings it all in English instead of Polish for the first time. Also there is a more commercial flavour to their sound. All this is an attempt to gain some headway in the music business of course. A new bass player is on board as well.

"Yaishi" has some good atmosphere with those synths as maja sings "Betrayal is sister of love". It's interesting to be able to read their lyrics for the first time. Obviously I have had no idea what Maja had been singing about on all the previous albums. A fuller sound before 1 1/2 minutes then it settles again as contrasts continue. Great sound 3 1/2 minutes in as riffs take over. "Col" is a song about sex. Okay maybe it was good that I didn't understand what she was singing about before (haha). The female groaning is too much which is unfortunate because there are some outstanding moments on this one. "Ergo Sum" is laid back as vocals join in. Very smooth but the lyrics are again really suggestive. "At The End Of Our Days" is heavy duty early then it settles with vocals. It's heavy again as contrasts continue. "A Story To Forget" is better when it kicks in but i'm not a big fan of this one.

"Scent" has this experimental intro with drums. Guitar comes in followed by soft vocals as it settles. It kicks in again. Vocal melodies and heaviness 3 1/2 minutes in then piano takes over with drums to the end. "Meren- Re (Rapsod)" is my favourite. Synths wash in as vocals and bass join in. A beautiful sound. "Jesugej Von Baafur" fetaures heavy drums and synths as vocals join in. It's better 1 1/2 minutes in with riffs. "(Infinity)" opens with piano as whispered vocals join in. This is slow moving. A fuller sound after 2 minutes but it's brief. It's back 3 1/2 minutes. "Nothing" again opens with piano as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in after a minute. Not a fan of this one. "Gebbeth" has this beat with bass then vocals. A fuller sound 2 1/2 minutes. Great sound a minute later.

3 stars from me on this one. Plenty of good passages on this one but lots that don't do a lot for me as well.

This is my favourite MOONLIGHT album.They increased the atmosphere on this one yet kept the darkness and heaviness. Maybe THE GATHERINGS "If Then Else" is a good reference although this isn't THAT atmospheric. This would be their last album to feature all Polish vocals as well, as they would turn to more of a commercial style after this. I have to also say that Maja has never sounded better, she's an amazing vocalist. The title of this album comes from the name of a song from their previous record.

"Tabu" opens with vocals only but not for long, it kicks in before a minute. Riffs follow as it settles back. Contrasts continue. It's heavy duty after 4 minutes. "Lekarstwo Na Sen" opens with a steady beat as vocals join in. She sings beautifully at times on this one. Guitar after 2 minutes then the tempo picks up. Iommi-like guitar then it settles again. It kicks back in late. Fantastic song. "List Z Raju" opens with a rich and soothing sound as reserved vocals join in. When she stops singing this relaxed guitar solo comes in that sounds so good. She's back as themes are repeated. "Taniec Ze Smiercia" has this heavy duty intro then it settles when the vocals arrive. Kicks back in as contrasts continue. "Meren Re (Akt Ostatni)" is laid back with reserved vocals. She's so expressive on this one. A fuller sound 3 minutes in as it builds. "Meren Re (Dobranoc)" opens with strings before vocals and a full sound take over. She sounds amazing here. Strings are back late. "..." opens with percussion as vocal melodies join in. Very cool. This reminds me of DEAD CAN DANCE.

"Obsesje" opens with synths and drums as vocals join in. It's fuller before 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. Love the exotic atmosphere on this one. "Shadizar" also has lots of atmosphere. This is so uplifting yet it's dark. Vocals come in. It settles before 3 minutes then kicks back in after 4 1/2 minutes before settling once more. "Kledy Mysli Mi Oddasz" again has lots of atmosphere as piano, vocals and synths join in. "Kochanka" opens with guitar and drums then it kicks in quickly with vocals. Vocal melodies follow as it settles. These themes are repeated. Silence takes over then Maja comes in singing softly all by herself before 5 minutes.

Without a doubt this is one of the best female sung albums I have heard.

MOONLIGHT's third album is their best so far in my opinion. It's still heavy but there's more atmosphere, and simply put there are some incredible songs on this one. The album cover shown on this site is different from mine. My copy has a picture of the ground covered with dead leaves with a face hidden in them, kind of like ANGLAGARD's "Epilog" album cover.

"Inermis" features lots of background synths and orchestral sounds as Maja works her magic on vocals. A nice dark and heavy sound to this one.The vocal melodies are amazing. "Szalenstwo" opens with vocal melodies, vocals follow. This pattern continues. Some nice guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Do Ojca" opens with keyboards and drums before vocals join in. Heaviness with synths follows. Guitar joins in the fray. This is a good kick ass song. "Jeszcze Raz" is a top three. A dreamy intro before vocals and drums come in. It's still laid back though. That changes before 2 minutes. Back to the dream-like atmosphere later. "Umbra" builds as vocals join in. Nice. Background synths too. Great sounding track. "Noc" features piano, drums and reserved vocals. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. Contrasts continue. "Pokuta Klamcy" is a short tune that's very aggressive as Maja spits out the lyrics. "Flos" is a top three. It's mellow with reserved vocals. Fat bass arrives as synths wash in. The guitar is great as it picks up. Powerful vocals follow then it settles again. Contrasts continue. "Non Umbra" is an uplifting mid paced tune. I like it a lot.

"Nie Moge Zmienic Nic" is the other top three. A beautiful intro before the heaviness arrives with vocals. Atmosphere before 2 minutes. Then it kicks back in as contrasts continue. Incredible ! "Inermis II" opens with drums as soft vocals join in with synths. It kicks in before a minute. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes then it kicks back in after 3 1/2 minutes. It's heavy again a minute later. "Enjoy The Silence" is a DEPECHE MODE cover. Nice bass throughout and man can she sing. Love this track, it brings back good memories. "Army Of Me" builds as the bass throbs and vocals join in. It gets heavy. She sounds different here. This is like an Alternative track from the nineties.

A very solid 4 stars. Not as metalic as the debut but just as heavy and more atmosphere.

3.5 stars. On MOONLIGHT's second album they have a new drummer, but their sound continues in that same dark Metal vein. This isn't as good as the debut in my opinion and it's not as powerful either. They thank PENDRAGON in the liner notes. Hard to believe MOONLIGHT opened for them because they're like night and day as far as their sounds go.

"La Dance Macabre" hits the ground running. This is catchy with vocals and synths as the drums pound. Some power late to end it. It's okay. "Melpomena" is a top three for me. Fragile vocals with keys to start. It kicks into a fuller sound quickly. Heavy after a minute. Great sound 3 minutes in. "Dies Irae (Dzien Sadu)" opens with orchestral sounds before it kicks in with guitar then vocals.The guitar is metallic. "Gora I Dol" opens with some good guitar. A full sound then vocals join in. It settles then kicks back in as contrasts continue. Man she can sing. "Troche Pozniejsze Popoludnie" turns heavy duty quickly. It settles before a minute with vocals. Dreamy stuff right here. It kicks back in before 2 1/2 minutes. "To Co Za Drzwiami" is orchestral sounding as heaviness arrives then vocals. The bass is huge. I like the guitar 3 minutes in when the vocals stop.

"Cha-Nefer-Meren-Re" opens with drums and bass before synths then vocals join in. Very heavy before 1 1/2 minutes then the tempo picks up. Chunky bass before 3 minutes then it settles. Great sound when it kicks back in a minute later. "Meren Re" is different with those spacey sounds and percussion. Reserved vocals join in. A cool sounding track. Some vocal melodies after 3 1/2 minutes. A top three. "Glosy" opens with spoken words as acoustic guitar and synths help out. Strong vocals and a powerful sound kick in as contrasts continue. "Shahre Gholgotha (Miasto Krzyku)" opens with guitar and synths. I like when the drums come in. Vocals follow. The guitar sounds great after 2 1/2 minutes. "Wiem" is the other top three. Acoustic guitar and atmosphere to open as vocals and drums join in. Nice heavy sound 2 1/2 minutes in. "Tu" opens with guitar and drums. The vocals are outstanding here. Nice bass lines too. "Inter Sacrum" is mostly atmosphere and reserved vocals. My cd has an untitled bonus track with a catchy beat and vocals.

So a good followup to their debut but this just doesn't have the same dynamics.

This is MOONLIGHT's first official album released in 1996. This Polish band is fronted by Maja Konarska, and man can she sing. Polish vocals by the way. I got into this band many years ago after discovering THE GATHERING. Back then I figured if the female fronted THE GATHERING are this good there has to be more great female fronted bands out there. And this is one of them. Right off the top I have to say that this album is considered by most to be a Goth-Metal record. This is heavier and more metallic than anything THE GATHERING has done.

"Strach" opens with synths and some atmosphere before the heaviness builds. It settles but the riffs kick in quickly followed by vocals.Themes are repeated. The "in your face" sound and synths remind me of GARDEN WALL. Not one of my favs but they have let us know they are here. "Stadium Wiary" has this relaxed intro then it gets heavier as the vocals come in. This sounds great ! This is mid-paced and heavy as she sings over top. "Cisza Przed Burza" Is a short tune that sounds incredible.This is laid back with a full layered sound, and the vocals sound so good. "Ekstaza Milczenia" has an orchestral sound to the intro as the vocals arrive. Nice chunky bass before 2 minutes then it turns heavier. We're rocking now ! "Conquistatodor" kicks in quickly with a heavy beat and vocals. It kicks in around 2 minutes.This is better. "Modlitwa A Zmitawanie" is a top three for me. It's laid back with reserved vocals then it kicks in before a minute. Contrasts continue. Love this track. "Hexe" opens with a mellow soundscape and reserved vocals. Acoustic guitar too. Here we go after a minute ! The guitar is fantastic before 2 minutes.The vocal melodies are cool 3 1/2 minutes in.

"Ananke" opens with atmosphere and guitar. Almost spoken vocals and drums join in. It's heavier after 1 1/2 minutes. Contrasts continue. "Zmierch" builds as vocals join in then settles quickly. This is my least favourite tune. "Damaisa" is a song that's really all over the place. The tempo and mood change often. "Jak Ryby" opens with intricate guitar as vocals join in. Drums follow. This is good. It kicks in hard after a minute. Contrasts continue. Nice bass after 2 1/2 minutes. "Msza" is also a top three and the most interesting sounding song. It opens with bass as those beautiful vocals join in. It turns intense around 2 minutes as the heaviness comes crushing in.Theatrical vocals too. Killer stuff. "Deformis" opens with spoken words. It turns dark. Heaviness comes in.Tempo picks up. Chunky bass and check out the vocals ! A top three. "Zbrodnia I Kara" opens with intricate guitar before the urgent vocals come in. This is intense. "Belibaste" is a relaxed and uplifting way to end the album.

A very solid 4 stars.

Polish veterans Moonlight are by and large relatively unknown outside of Poland, despite having a career as a band that goes way back to 1991.

On this 2005 release, they have produced a dark and eerie album heavily tinged with gothic moods, subtle dramatics and weird sounds in the back of the soundscapes - creating at times ghoulishly creepy moods in the songs. Yet with stunningly beautiful themes created as well, first and foremost due to the vocals of Maja Konerska, whose distinct vocal delivery for some may be a love or loathe aspect of this production.

With a distinct eclectic streak as a thematic red thread throughout, where the band incorporates and use elements from electronica, jazz, folk and metal to blend in with their mainstream-tinged yet subtle and sophisticated art rock foundation, this is a high class effort from start to finish. To quote Vitaly Menshikov, who runs the ProgressoR website: "Anyone on a good footing with good music regardless of its stylistic or structural peculiarities should love it. "