I reviewed the MOONLIGHT HAZE debut, De Rerum Natura, in 2019. Seven years later, as in today, I'm reviewing their latest EP, Interstellar Madness. Yeah, I feel old . . . but I'm so glad this band is still together and putting out great music. Kind of restores my faith in humankind and the power of music. I also get the chance to say every metalhead's favorite line: "I was into this band back when they first started!" Man, that feels good.

On May 22, 2026, MOONLIGHT will release their fifth album, Interstellar Madness, via Scarlet Records. The six-track EP is full of optimism and brightness, inviting fans to rise and leave behind the gloom of this world and explore the cosmic reaches of beyond where they'll travel the stars and explore new dimensions, tapping into an alternate form of consciousness. Now, as it turns out, that consciousness is riddled with madness but it's a happy type of madness . . . and it's a lot better than the madness we see around us today.

The album kicks off with "Moonlight Legion," a short track with an Eastern flare and a triumphant vibe. From there we leap into "Lost in Moonlit Symphonies" which races us at warp speed through space and time. It's with the third track, "We Are Fire," that things really level out. This track mixes harsh chants with Chiara's soaring vocals, telling us we are invincible, we are unstoppable, and we are fire! Enchanting and inspiring, this track. My favorite of the batch.

Next up is "Shine," maintaining speed of light momentum. Another stirring track. Things really get interesting with the final two tracks—"Interstellar Madness" and "Interstellar Madness: Finale." The first of this pair is over six minutes long complete with a preludio, three attos, a concertato, and an intermesso. Okay, I know those are just Italian words for various compositional elements, but they sound so sophisticated :) Several sections are also sung in Italian, so that makes it double fancy. Call me easily impressed, but impressed I was. As for the finale, it's an instrumental featuring a striking performance by Giulio Capone on the keyboards. Okay, I know, it's symphonic metal—all the keyboards are striking, but this one is really really striking. Trust me.

Altogether, Interstellar Madness is an intriguing EP. Coming fast on the heels of 2025's Beyond, it's a nice treat for longtime fans and newcomers alike. And with all the crap going on in the world today, it's a well-needed blast of intergalactic hopefulness. Sure, the finale leaves us in the grips of madness, but at least it's a cheerful kind of madness.