I would just like to start out by saying that I wanted, for my first review, to give an overrated band a very shitty review. This obviously didn't happen though, considering Crimson Moon is neither overrated or shitty.

The album, entitled To Embrace the Vampyric Blood, has a title perfectly fitting to the atmosphere of the music. While the guitars are harsh and the production isn't something to die for, it carries a mood of some moonlit Carpathia. Those of you who DO listen to your share of atmospheric or vampyric black metal, buy this album. You will cream your panties.

The line up is Vampire Scorpios who carries the weapons of bass and of war drums. He is also the vocalist and the 'summoner' (whatever that is). Along with the 'summoner' we have Nocturnal Overlord who along with guitars, synths, and the drum programming- does the 'evocations'. Now, if anyone could have me what on this album is evocations, and what is summoning, I might not have sat and tried to figure it out for almost twenty fucking minutes. There is also a guest appearance of Aphazel from Ancient on "The Eye of Draconis", who does the brilliant melodic lead guitars.

For those of you who are lyrically inclined, the lyrics on this album are poetic enough to drive Dani Filth back into the shame of more Revelon eyeliner. The stories and the feelings of the lyrics will take the listener far into the vampyric forest that Crimson Moon has created. They give constant praise to the entity of Tiamat, who is most commonly known as the Babylonian goddess of ocean waters.This album has songs for every mood. Vocals throughout the CD are harsh but mixed and echoed perfectly to fit the volume and blend with the guitars. It is a prayer shouted into the violent wind that is the guitars. The keyboards and the guitars work together in immaculate harmony, so that the fortunate soul who listens to this can only sit back and be swept away by the music. Female vocals appear in the song "The Stormbringer" and are short and welcomed. They are not long enough to disgust you, but just there enough to give it a seductive sensual feeling.

I would bring this album with me anywhere, because it has everything. The translucent evil of Vampir Scorpios vocals is enough temptation to have it repeatedly end up in my Cd player. Southern California needs a band like this. We've had enough of Sanctus. It's time for some real unholy black metal. Crimson Moon brings us that darkness which we all crave.

Crimson Moon Website

                - by Stephanie Spoto