Secrets Of The Moon - Earth Hour [official video]

On their seventh full-length "Black House", Secrets of the Moon offer us a re-invented version of their pristinely sinister rock music. Reunited with founding member Lars Plegge (Daevas), the Germans further explore the path taken on critically acclaimed predecessor "Sun" (ranked by opinion-forming German magazine Rock Hard among the key albums of the new millennium), serving nothing and no one, only their songs.

While the material on "Sun" seemed like relentless, emotional outbreaks exploring new worlds, "Black House" bursts with self-confidence and gets closer to the point with well-composed, catchy tunes of subtle movement, blackened grace and furious elegance. The result is a unique blend of styles one fails to pay full justice to with tags such as "goth rock" and "post punk" or references to Alice In Chains, Tiamat's "Wildhoney"-era and Fields Of The Nephilim.

The material was recorded in guitarist, engineer and producer Michael Zech's (Ar) own The Church of Sound studio over the course of almost one year. "While working on it, the studio turned more and more into the Black House," says the band, hinting at the intensity of the recordings. "We became obsessed, we became the house." During that time, the quartet welcomed guests as Jarboe as well as members from Empyrium, (Dolch), The Ruins Of Beverast, Dark Fortress and Enemy Of The Sun, who contributed to the individual vibes of all songs.

"Black House" is embedded into a strong and extensive visual concept, comprising both a sophisticated artwork (best displayed in the artbook edition) and video clips of each album track. The visuals pivot on nine artefacts - abstract references to the lyrics and the general feelings of the songs - which serve as a golden thread spun throughout and create a visceral world around, respectively within the Black House. Filmed, directed and designed by infamous French artists Metastazis (Led Zeppelin, Morbid Angel, Ulver) and Dehn Sora (Deathspell Omega, Amen Ra, Blut Aus Nord) within several months of constant work, "Black House" is a highly ambitious, compelling artistic synthesis.

"Everybody is welcome in the Black House, but the house rules apply," singer and guitarist Phil Jonas (sG) concludes. "Bring rubber boots; it's below sea-level, sometimes it gets wet inside …"

"Black House" is available as Digibook CD, gatefold LP (black and ltd. silver), artbook CD/DVD and ltd. complete box (incl. Artbook CD/DVD, LP on exclusive golden vinyl, "Live In Bitterfeld" exclusively on CD, a backpatch and two posters).

[WarsawHardCore]

Their metamorphosis is mesmerizing as for me. In black metal era they made some masterpieces, and the new way seems to be perfect choice for exploration of gothic fields.

[Antifascista]

I miss their black metal sound but this is so good.

[OceanOfGriefThomas]

They've changed a lot. But i liked them before and i also like them now. Good job guys!

[sergiomota]

Excellent song! Excellent record! Great music!

[musicjustice]

Nice song, new sound and different style.
Sound good, but they will never make something better as their album „Privilegium“ a real Death/Black masterpiece.
🤘🏻

[am.b.]

One of a favorites band, nice surprise. Thx a lot. Keep on dooming 🤘🇧🇴 Huges from Bolivia.

[adamtheawesomeperson]

Earth Hour

it’s digging underground
and beyond the stars It burns
veil by veil
one by one
before the curtain falls

here is the earth hour
here is the center of the storm
we’re singing while the world burns
saturnalia unfolds

it comes in silent steps
and it’s crying in our sleeps
see when the lights aflame
the immensity of things

here is the earth hour
here is the center of the storm
we’re singing while the world burns
saturnalia unfolds
we’re singing while the world burns
lutes are dying away unheard

purging sounds of fires
piercing lights grow higher
all of us are taken
all that was is gone

[taniniver]

nah, just not my cup of tea anymore, anyway wish you guys all the best in future

[killerall]

the previous ALBUM was their best imho, waiting for this one...

[danieldjarovich]

I enjoy and recognise their BM side as the most essential....
But this one is pretty good and atmospheric-I love it

[khold]

Anyone knows which band it sounds the intro/start?!

[kilgorin]

i'm really enjoying this, definitely more than SUN.

[godemperor]

What a shame. Ruhet in Frieden, Geheimnisse des Mondes.

[inkinthewater]

...that certain someone on the right bleeds Gregor Mackintosh inspiration in both movement and music.

[Mishn]

Is this really the same band that released "Stronghold of the Inviolables, "Carved in Stigmata Wounds" and "Antithesis"?!! Sure, "Sun" was a departure from the band's black metal sound, but this is downright rock music. The chorus is somewhat catchy and melancholic, but I did not expect to hear this sort of "progression."

[znalniaskas]

The song isn't bad, but the twink vocals bother me a bit, with a proper classic goth rock vocalist it would sound a lot better.

[praetor]

goddamn does this stink. i was a fan before, but now it's like they've done what bands in the 90ies used to do and turned to lame, boring, hipster rock. awful

[Abhorym]

Change the name of the band, where is black metal?darkness?...no thanks

[robertczarnecki]

Almost as bad as the first single. Sounds like a FOTN copy. No SOTM power here.