LUNAR SPELLS is a Greek Black Metal band formed in Athens in 2020, by Cryptic (guitar, vocals, synths), K.C.H (bass) and V.T (drums). Both musically and lyrically, they stay close to the roots of Scandinavian "old school" Black Metal. Lyrical subjects thus often deal with darkness, depression, misanthropy and hate. After their first EP recording "Medieval Shadows from an Ancient Netherworld" (2020), the line-up was augmented by Atxak on vocals, and the group recorded their debut full length album "Where Silence Whispers." The album contains six tracks.

"Praying for Redemption" leads off the album. It opens with a heavy and aggressive riff, and some muted production. The drums are quite loud but some light synths appear in the background. This is indeed "old school" Black Metal, and I don't think the world needs more of this. "Among the Ashes" carries the sound forward...almost as if they were the same track. The synths are a nice touch, but the vocal screams, drums and wall of guitars is all that you really can make out of this muddled mess. "The Wounds of Salvation" is another energetic piece that suffers from an awful snare sound. The band does mix in some variation in the music here and there, but it's full steam ahead when it comes to their agenda.

"Majesty of the Silent Moon" bring more of the same with a slightly more melancholy and solemn sound. The drums never let up...this guy is a beast. "Obscured Reign" features a very similar pace, though the keyboards are more highlighted here. The sound rolls forward, unrelenting in scope, and building to a crescendo towards the end. "Anguish and Sorrow" closes the album, with much of the same again. Six tracks, and very little variation, make for a tough listen. Black Metal might have the most entries when it comes to Metal subgenres out there. This is one of the reasons why I question bands like this holding onto a sound that was developed decades ago, just for the right to call themselves "traditionalists." The main problem is that sound has already been done, many times over. So what can they offer to the genre, or Metal community as a whole? Not much, unfortunately.