Divine Darkness

Crimson Moonlight's 2016 release 'Divine Darkness' took on far more death metal elements than their previous records. This album saw the addition of more lower register guitar riffs and slower tempo chugging sections. All while retaining their signature speed, ferocity, and intensity. The lyrical content is much the same as the previous releases, taking the controversial anti-blasphemy approach. In addition to all this, the album took a massive step-up in production quality from the bands previous releases.

Crimson Moonlight brought an unprecedented level of brutality to the table with this release. It has the iconic 'wall of noise' sound that often comes from black metal. With so many parts working in unison in an often dissonant, in your face manner, Divine Darkness has the same power and fullness. When this is combined with the higher production quality this album saw, it actually makes it much easier to listen to. It still sounds fierce, and epic, and like a balls out shred fest but without making your brain bleed after a few tracks.

Overall 'Divine Darkness' is an album that does an excellent job showcasing the overall sound of Crimson Moonlight. While it might lack the orchestras and backing strings often found in their older releases like Veil of Remembrance or The Covenant Progress, it does maintain the same edge and grit the former albums had. It is an epic combination of blast beats, high speed, black metal style guitar leads with the occasional slower rhythm guitars, like those commonly found in death metal. The brutality and technicality displayed by the underground un-black metal juggernauts from Sweden in this album does not disappoint.