Moonloop - Deeply From The Earth (Listenable, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Awaking Spirals Of Time (2.11)
2. Beginning Of The End (5.15)
3. A Life Divided (4.34)
4. Fading Faces (5.02)
5. Strombus (6.15)
6. Deceiving Time (7.22)
7. Legacy Of Fear (4.18)
8. Wailing Road (6.18)
9. Landscape (6.25)
10. Atlantis Rising (11.00)

Synopsis: For some reason it took me a while to purchase a copy of "Deeply From The Earth", the second full length from Spain's Moonloop and it has turned out to be quite an interesting release. Their take on progressive death metal does bring to mind Opeth, without the classic prog influences, but also more aggressive bands such as Death through numerous twists and turns that find the music coming from many different directions. It isn't perfect, some of the transitions between sections can be abrupt and could be refined further, but there is no denying that there is a maturity and ambition at work here that challenges without being too obtuse and ultimately leaves you satisfied.

Agalloch - Faustian Echoes (Dammerung Arts, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Faustian Echoes (21.34)

Synopsis: Agalloch are widely revered, and rightly so, as they have always been a law unto themselves yet there is also an integrity and depth to their music that never wavers regardless of the path they take. "Faustian Echoes" is the longest song that they have recorded however this has proven no challenge as they take the classic Goethe tale and weave a metallic tapestry around it that retains your attention the whole time. The balance between the epic black metal and more introspective moments is finely balanced and the samples of dialogue add to the effect. Who knows what Agalloch will come up with next but whatever it might be it is sure to continue expanding their already impressive sound.

www.agalloch.org