German black metal band Secrets Of The Moon will release its new studio album, Sun, on December 4 via Prophecy Productions. Recorded at The Source Studios in Munich and Soundcave Studios in Hamburg, the recording is the sixth full length recording of the band's career and the follow-up to its 2012 release, Seven Bells, a record that was hailed as "black metal stripped of its pretensions and predatory instincts and left to fend for itself in a strange new world". In advance of the new album's release, PopMatters premieres the new song "Hole", noting that Secrets Of The Moon "artfully blend black metal with more Gothic overtones, as touches of the Cure and Fields of the Nephilim creep into the ominous track." Listen to "Hole" now at this location.

"'Hole' describes the desolate story of humanity," says Secrets Of The Moon singer/guitarist sG. "A story that is more present than ever before with the tragic attacks in Paris that have left me speechless and resigned. There is no hope. There is no god. Whatever we do, whatever we create, whatever we love, is temporary. It is a gift. The feel of the song 'Hole' is the opposite of 'going on', and the music portrays that. At least that's what I'm feeling right now."

MetalSucks also premiered the new Secrets Of The Moon song "No More Colours", saying, "Over the course of five full-lengths and a myriad of EPs and splits spanning a 20-year career, the German band has continually pushed the boundaries of what's considered black metal." Hear Secrets Of The Moon's "No More Colours" now at this location.

Secrets Of The Moon named the new album Sun because its inspiration stems from the immediate experience of becoming and perishing, of ending and starting anew and because the sun, itself, "is both source of warming light and all-devouring fireball." On Sun, Black Metal is less of a dogma for SOTM, the style now intuitively transferred into a context of "universally dark music", while expressing the artists' spiritual catharsis and growth without restrictions. If with Sun, Secrets Of The Moon represent one particular musical style in 2015, it is their very own, saturated with unwavering self-confidence and the will to live.

"When writing 'Sun' we were setting no spiritual or stylistic boundaries for ourselves, which makes this the most personal, painfully honest record of the band's history so far," comments Secrets Of The Moon guitarist / keyboardist Ar. "This album is an avowal of life as a memorial to the omnipotence of Death and the End of it all. Just as the Sun itself."

"Sun" Track Listing:

1.) No More Colours (MetalSucks premiere)
2.) Dirty Black
3.) Man Behind the Sun
4.) Hole (PopMatters premiere)
5.) Here Lies the Sun
6.) I Took the Sky Away
7.) Mark of Cain

Sun is available for pre-order now at this location.

Formed in 1995, Secrets Of The Moon rose from the ashes of one of the very first black metal outfits stemming from the German scene, Martyrium. In the time since, the band has released five albums; Stronghold Of The Inviolables (2002), Carved In Stigmata Wounds (2004), Antithesis (2006), Privilegivm (2009) and Seven Bells (2012), remaining firmly rooted in the underground despite performing for large crowds and as part of prestigious festivals.

In addition to Ar, Secrets Of The Moon features sG (vocals, guitar), Naamah Ash (bass) and Erebor (drums).

Follow Secrets Of The Moon on Facebook: @sotm777 and Instagram: @sotm_official.

Secrets Of The Moon are available to speak with interested media now. To chat with the band / request an advance copy of Sun, simply contact Carl Schultz @ ACTION! PR via any of the means listed below.

"Secrets Of The Moon have figured out a way to write catchy, mid-tempo, well-produced songs without sacrificing any integrity, extremity, or creativity." - PITCHFORK

"Secrets Of The Moon have been turning out their own brand of dark, slightly progressive Black Metal for almost fifteen years now, while still remaining a very underground band." - METAL CRYPT

"Truly part of black metal's elite, Secrets Of The Moon effortlessly stand apart from their contemporaries with their brooding style and black-winged grace, all the while maintaining an oppressive and remorseless density, transcending the sonic limitations and expectations of their medium to produce a darkened tome of arcane artifice whose sheer, unrelenting weight and spirit-crushing heaviness serve to cripple the soul" - NO CLEAN SINGING