Conceptual album based on HP Lovecraft novel "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath". Recorded between the Walpurgisnacht and Summer Solstice 2020 in The Chamber of Stars (Yl-jarvi and Tampere, Finland) by Mooncitadel.
Mooncitadel wasted no time following up their debut Night’s Scarlet Symphonies with the release of Onyx Castles and Silver Keys, a four-track EP inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath and brought to life by the label Out of the Dungeon. The EP seamlessly continues the band’s progression, blending traditional black metal with symphonic and melodic elements, while adding even more intensity and atmosphere.
The EP opens with "The Silver Key," an adaptation of a Finnish traditional song, which sets the stage for the first full track, "Summoning the Faustian Aristocracy." The song erupts in classic black metal fury before transitioning into a surprising, almost progressive heavy metal riff, only to shift yet again into epic, grandiose territories. These transitions are executed flawlessly, showcasing Mooncitadel's ability to merge fast-paced black metal with soaring, symphonic grandeur. This track, with its intricate shifts in mood and style, stands out as one of the band’s strongest compositions to date.
"Fog is the Crown (Guarding the Nordic Mysteries)" takes the EP a step further, adding more pronounced folk influences without losing the intensity of the music. The prominent bass lines shine through, enhancing the raw yet balanced sound that combines symphonic, melodic, and epic black metal elements. The blend of rawness and polish that characterized Night’s Scarlet Symphonies is here again, but elevated to new heights.
The closing track, "Moonwine Amongst the Onyx Castles," opens with epic heavy metal riffs before diving back into the dark and fast realms of black metal. As a whole, Onyx Castles and Silver Keys feels quicker and more intense than the band’s debut, while retaining all the qualities that made their earlier work so captivating. The pace, intensity, and expert songwriting make this EP an even more compelling release than their already stellar debut.
Mooncitadel continues to push their sound forward, combining atmosphere, melody, and aggression with precision. If Onyx Castles and Silver Keys is any indication, the band’s future releases will only continue to build on their already impressive foundation.
