MOONSHINE „Eternal”

Music: Gothic Metal
Country: South Korea
Website: www.moonshine.co.kr
Duration: 1:12:43
Cool Songs: Isolated, Breathless, Dying In Beauty, Chaos Lover, Regret

Destined to become one of 2008’s obscure gems, this third album from South Korea’s Moonshine will likely be received with little fanfare and even less visible promotion. But to its credit, the music on “Eternal” is devoid of any serious flaws worth bitching about. While Moonshine’s present incarnation is far removed from the band’s extreme origins (they were previously known as Deathrasher), the band’s reinvention seems to have worked for the better. Opener “Moonshine Madness” quashes anyone’s skepticism with its sparkling keyboards and icy lyrics that are sung just above a whisper, which is a good thing because Moonshine’s grasp of english can be laughable. Nevertheless, the time and effort they’ve put into writing memorable material pays off in spades; every song on the album has the potential to get stuck inside your skull for days.

In their effort to evolve and reach a higher order of existence, the two blokes behind Moonshine (singer guitarist Amon and drummer Giga) expand the lineup a bit by introducing a girl vocalist named Paranoid and a new bassist. The lady’s presence is felt on “Eternal’s” first duet, “(We) Die Cold”, its familiar structure bearing a soft melody that’s broken by the distorted guitars at its soaring chorus. “True Heart” continues in the same vein as “Moonshine Madness”, its trademark keyboards matched by a trembling bass line that intensifies and then recedes for the gently sung verses that drip from your speakers. “Isolated” displays Moonshine’s abilities outside their supposed genre, being a misanthropic three minutes of death metal where frantic drumming and vicious snarls replace the band’s previous restraint. The duo return to form on “Dark Reception”, whose ambience conveys images of shadows and cloying mist while still packing enough catchiness to preserve its mainstream appeal. “Chaos Lover” uses the same formula as earlier tracks to augment its syrupy lyrical content. The album teeters on irreverence at “Dying in Beauty” where the smoggy vocals make the song’s message of rejection and failed relationships sound like an endearment.

Just when you’re inclined to think the album will nosedive into filler country, Moonshine dish out their 80’s metal influences for “Nameless” as a salute to their heroes (i.e. Judas Priest, Megadeth) before another duet titled “No Name” emerges from a tangle of smooth guitar licks and lonesome piano notes. Keeping true to whatever textbook on melodic metal they religiously studied, the instrumental “Regret” can represent the credit roll before the album falls silent. But it doesn’t end yet because four bonus tracks reprise the best songs on “Eternal”, this time with Korean lyrics. In summation, Moonshine have executed that rare melodic album blessed by a combination of spot on guitar solos and carefully written choruses. “Eternal” makes the grade as the year’s best Asian metal album, leaving contenders hard pressed to try topping the bar it has raised. It’s surprising to learn the band has never played live until recently given the strength of the music here. Oh well, buy this album, visit Moonshine’s myspace, and spread the word.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1.Moonshine Madness
2.(We) Die Cold
3.True Heart
4.Isolated
5.Dark Reception
6.Chaos Lover
7.Dying In Beauty
8.Breathless
9.No Name
10.Regret [Instrumental]

(Bonus Tracks)
11.Die Cold
12.True Heart
13.Dark Reception
14.Chaos Lover

Line-up

Amon- Vocals, guitar
Giga- Drums
M- Bass
Paranoid- Female vocals