Summoned through the gate of fire, drawn from the flames into the night, she wanders the darkness – a flickering shade of memory and loss. Her heart held forever in a glacial frost she hungers for the fleeting warmth of lifeblood, freely given in enraptured lust or taken by strength and spell, as needs must. And with every passing age her desperate need grows, to tear the pitiless, despoiling sun from the heavens, to dwell for endless aeons in star dusted night and deep twilight shadow, to drift for eternity upon cold, dark winds; a deathless beauty invoked by moonlight pyromancy…
“Moonlight Pyromancy” is the second album from the British Black Metal force ARGESK and the band have progressed at a phenomenal rate since their “Realm Of Eternal Night” debut. This album possesses everything that made its predecessor such an exciting first statement; but better, richer, fuller and so much more accomplished. Beginning with “Invocation”, a short but effective instrumental piece that acts as a gateway to the gloaming country of “Moonlight Pyromancy”, ARGESK proceed to enfold us in dark wings of nocturnal ambience.
A newfound mastery of melody comes to the fore in “Accursed Victory” as the emotive guitar work draws you deeper and deeper into this epic of tragedy and drama, while “Black Castle Waltz” is a regal dance of vampiric splendour with a sense of world building – as if ARGESK are constructing their own mythology through the complex interweaving of each instrument. At the heart of the album lies “Wreathing Serpent”, a formidable song that builds slowly before exploding like a shower of stars across the night sky and this track highlights the perfect balance of the ARGESK sound; despite the beguiling melodies and lush layers of atmosphere they never allow sweetness to overpower the bitter hemlock of their Black Metal draught.
Cover artwork by Aghy Purakusuma
Everything is steeped in devastation and gothic magic, bloodlust and damnation. The triumphant chords of the title track close the album with an air of dark celebration, before a reprise of “Black Castle Waltz”, complete with guest vocals from Dean Seddon, the man who supplied the banshee screams for HECATE ENTHRONED’s “Kings Of Chaos” and “Redimus” albums. “Moonlight Pyromancy” is infused with black sorcery and whispered promises, a true work of the very darkest art.
Superbly recorded and mixed by Chris Taylor at Noiseboy Studios (BURIAL, STEEL MAGE, BEYOND SALAVATION etc) and immaculately mastered by Chris Fielding (ELECTRIC WIZARD, FEN, WINTERFYLLETH etc) every layer of “Moonlight Symphony” ’s textured compositions can be fully appreciated, as each instrument is given room to breathe – and the outstanding artwork of Aghy Purakusuma (PURE WRATH, MORWINYON, FIRENHOLT etc) sets the final seal of quality upon this outstanding album. Now bonded in blood and fire with Matriarch Records, ARGESK will unlock the door to “Moonlight Pyromancy” on October 17th. Open your hearts to the darkness…
ARGESK line-up:
Matt IH – Guitar and harsh vocals
Roscoe – Bass and acoustic guitar
Leth – Synths, clean vocals and mandolin
Bob – Drums
Aidan – Guitar
“Moonlight Pyromancy” tracklist:
1. Invocation (Intro)
2. Servant of Fire
3. Accursed Victory
4. Black Castle Waltz
5. Wreathing Serpent
6. Tempest
7. Moonlight Pyromancy
8. Black Castle Waltz
Further Information:
https://www.facebook.com/argeskuk/
