Hailing from Italy, Absentia Lunae is a band that plays a raw, yet extremely emotional style of black metal. There’s much more to this band’s debut than just noise, and it really showcases that poor production can really enhance the atmosphere built up by a record. I got into this band via the humorously named female member Climaxia’s side project, Melencolia Estatica. I was extremely impressed with that album and I decided to check this out as well. I am pleased to say that In Vmbrarvm Imperii Gloria is exactly what I expected, and it’s a clear winner in my book. Throughout the entire album, the sense of atmosphere does not let up, and the guitar work and drumming is spot on with this record. The riffs on this record are typical black metal fair mostly, but it does a good job setting itself apart form the rest due to the elements of melody that are thrown into the mix and come in at just the right moments. Climaxia is indeed one of the most underrated black metal guitarists in my opinion. She doesn’t shred at all, but that’s not something I want to see in her music. The beautiful guitar work she does elevates this album above the typical underground black metal scene and gives this typically brutal and raw sounding music a sense of beauty that is rarely seen. The vocals on this album are also well done. The wails and growls that Ildanach creates compliment the awesome skill of Climaxia and do a lot of push the emotional atmosphere that this record conveys. If there are any flaws to this beautiful record, it’s that the opening track ‘Fortis Cadere, Cedere Non Potest’ and the ending track ‘Memneso On’ feel completely unnecessary. They have fantastic performances by Climaxia with here guitar genius, but the pointless narration in it doesn’t add anything at all to the beauty of this record, in fact in my opinion, it detracts from it. However, they are still listenable because of the afore mentioned melody in the guitar work. Absentia Lunae is a black metal force to be reckoned with, and I can’t wait to see this band’s next album. This record is fantastic, and if you run across it somewhere, don’t hesitate to get it and enjoy this band for yourself.
Hailing from Italy, Absentia Lunae is a band that plays a raw, yet extremely emotional style of black metal. There’s much more to this band’s debut than just noise, and it really showcases that poor production can really enhance the atmosphere built up by a record. I got into this band via the humorously named female member Climaxia’s side project, Melencolia Estatica. I was extremely impressed with that album and I decided to check this out as well. I am pleased to say that In Vmbrarvm Imperii Gloria is exactly what I expected, and it’s a clear winner in my book. Throughout the entire album, the sense of atmosphere does not let up, and the guitar work and drumming is spot on with this record. The riffs on this record are typical black metal fair mostly, but it does a good job setting itself apart form the rest due to the elements of melody that are thrown into the mix and come in at just the right moments. Climaxia is indeed one of the most underrated black metal guitarists in my opinion. She doesn’t shred at all, but that’s not something I want to see in her music. The beautiful guitar work she does elevates this album above the typical underground black metal scene and gives this typically brutal and raw sounding music a sense of beauty that is rarely seen. The vocals on this album are also well done. The wails and growls that Ildanach creates compliment the awesome skill of Climaxia and do a lot of push the emotional atmosphere that this record conveys. If there are any flaws to this beautiful record, it’s that the opening track ‘Fortis Cadere, Cedere Non Potest’ and the ending track ‘Memneso On’ feel completely unnecessary. They have fantastic performances by Climaxia with here guitar genius, but the pointless narration in it doesn’t add anything at all to the beauty of this record, in fact in my opinion, it detracts from it. However, they are still listenable because of the afore mentioned melody in the guitar work. Absentia Lunae is a black metal force to be reckoned with, and I can’t wait to see this band’s next album. This record is fantastic, and if you run across it somewhere, don’t hesitate to get it and enjoy this band for yourself.