Comments
You spelled "Paradoxx" wrong.
Besides that, a great review.
V/A: Moonlight Cathedral
Nowhere is the value of the compilation felt more than in the Christian underground scene. With such a niche market made up of independent artists with few label options, the compilation may be the only way those interested in the scene will get exposed to music of the same vein. As such, releases such as Moonlight Cathedral are a God-send.
New distro Cold Fusion has teamed up with scene veteran Flaming Fish to hand pick 14 tracks spread over 72 minutes of heady goth rock, melancholy surreal synths and light electro-dance beats. Analogous with a light in the darkness, Moonlight Cathedral appeals to those desiring a dark flavor to their music without the despondency that is often served as an accompaniment.
If anyone is up to the task of gathering the big names and introducing the up-and-comers, it’s Flaming Fish’s Carson Pierce. Pierce’s early compilation efforts such as Full Frontal Lobotomy and Lethal Injection fairly well began the semblance of cohesion we enjoy in the Christian fringe-genre scene today. Apart from fellow Canadian label Ballistic Test Productions, which focuses more on the electro-industrial scene, the world of Christian underground compilations belongs to Flaming Fish.
With a scene dominated by independent artists with few label options, the compilation acts as a great way to catch up on the latest from well-known bands and an introduction to projects you may have only heard about in passing. I like to think I’m fairly up on the latest, but I always find myself pleasantly surprised. The good thing about the comp is that the artist is putting their best foot forward so you know its going to be good.
The crunchy ‘Chameleon’ by Hollywood-based Veer Chasm is a great case in point, as it’s the best track off their recent hard-hitting CD. The same would be difficult to say for South Africa’s The Awakening, as finding a “best” from his work is like picking a favorite flavor of ice cream. As they say, it’s all good. Those familiar with the dark-operatic Savior Machine will know what to expect, while Australia’s Paradoxx delivers their latest in moody yet danceable synth.
Tagged by some as the father of Christian goth, Dead Artist Syndrome goes guitar rock with the cynical ‘Christian America’ and The Last Dance delivers with layers of power synths and guitars with ‘Whisper. For the more subdued wanting a feminine touch, the ethereal solo work by Lycia’s Tara Vanflower is appropriately spooky, the accent on female fronted Undish from Poland adds a great touch and the synths beats of Creta do their job in setting up atmosphere.
The compilation did its job in introducing me to a few bands I will defiantly be following up, including the Bowie-flavored Fearful Symmetry, the rock-orientated Bridgeshadows and Wyrmwood The Legacy, with it’s distinctive female vox over simple yet addictive beats. With such a diverse offering, what appeals to some will fall below the radar of others, such as the atmospheric rock of Visionaire and the all German metal-esk Grode, which I am sure will find their own fan-base.
If you want to know what’s going in today’s Christian goth-rock scene, look no further than Moonlight Cathedral. Some new and tried-and-true, goth-rock alongside synth beats, the compilation does exactly what it’s supposed to do, both for those looking for new artists and artists looking for new fans.
-- Chad [The Edge On-Line]
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