AN NCS PREMIERE: GRIMA — “THE MOON AND ITS SHADOWS”

 

Tales of the Enchanted Woods is the second album by the Siberian atmospheric black metal band Grima, and it is now set for release by Naturmacht Productions on February 25. Today we bring you the premiere of the album’s second track, “The Moon and Its Shadows“.

Grima is two-person endeavor (Velhelm and Morbius) that has existed since 2014 as a studio-only project, with a pagan ethos “based on the worship of the elder forest, its power and magic, where the Grima is a supreme god… a powerful spirit, who protects only those who live in a forest, and punishes everyone who does not respect nature”.

 

 

“The Moon and Its Shadows” is a multifaceted song that harbors changing moods and energy within its immersive depths, blending blazing bonfires of sound with wintry chills.

It draws and holds attention in a variety of ways, but certainly the powerful drumming is a key ingredient. It’s vibrant and riveting throughout, right from the song’s thunderous opening until the track’s plaintive outro section, which sounds something like an accordion melody.

The song’s powerful start, which includes riffs that jab, swarm, and pulsate along with high, caustic shrieks, eventually subsides, replaced by crystalline notes that shine like ice-encrusted branches and high clean vocals. The intensity resumes, leading to rapidly tumbling drums and lower growls, and a slow, drifting melody that resonates with melancholy.

More changing textures and somber melodies still lie ahead, even as the rhythm section continues to drive with explosive force, right up to the brink of that very interesting folk-instrumental conclusion. The song makes for a very alluring introduction to this new album.

 

To repeat, Tales of the Enchanted Woods will be released by Naturmacht Productions on February 25th, 2017, in a 4-panel digipak edition. Here’s the full track list:

1. The Sentry Peak
2. The Moon and its Shadows
3. Ritual
4. Wolfberry
5. Never Get Off the Trail
6. The Grief
7. The Shepherds of the Mountains and Plains
8. The Sorrow Bringer

Grima:
https://www.facebook.com/grimablackmetal

Naturmacht Productions:
http://www.naturmacht.com
http://naturmacht.com/shop/catalog
https://naturmachtproductions.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/naturmachtproductions