Swedish band MOON COVEN was formed in 2012, at that point using the name Waning Moon. Legal stuff forced them to change their name in 2013 though, but while they were hit with that spot of bad news they also got some that were a tad better. Swedish label Transubstans Records became interested in the band, and in early 2014 they released Moon Coven’s debut EP “Amanita KIngdom”.
The five songs on this production documents a band with a firm affection for the 1970’s, and then on multiple levels. The main characteristic of their material will have to be described as vintage doom metal. Massive, slowly pounding riffs dominate the proceedings, in slow moving, repeated patterns. This is a band that have discovered the hypnotic qualities of repetition, and use that tool to very good effect too. That they know their way around a compelling, vintage doom riff construction helps elevate the overall experience of course, and the use of three guitars does add a certain additional massive sound to the proceedings.
Whenever the band hits a guitar solo spot it’s fairly obvious that they are rather fond of psychedelic music as well. The guitar soloing is of the kind that drips psychedelia, rather shrill at times but when mixed beneath the guitar riffs this doesn’t represent any bothersome trait as such. Another psychedelic tendency that perhaps is more of a hit and miss affair is how the lead vocals are mixed down as well, to the point of becoming a melodic almost inaudible texture overpowered by the riffs, an ethereal and often intangible presence. They do come more to the front on third track Amanita Kingdom II though, as this song alternates between the monumental riffs and sequences of a more delicate nature, the latter mainly used for the vocal parts and the overall experience much the better for it. At least according to my personal taste.
Concluding composition We Were Conquerors see the band ditching all their doom laden orientation in favor of a clean guitar driven affair, mostly using the light tones on the register with only occasional darker impact notes used, but remaining firmly in psychedelic waters rather than in a rock ballad oriented one. The use of echo effect on the lead vocals on this piece is another choice in the hit or miss department though, and like the drowned out vocals in the riff-driven songs on this album this is a miss as far as I’m concerned. Others will treasure this effect though, tastes do differ after all.
If you love your vintage doom metal and have a strong affection for vintage psychedelic effects applied to music of this kind, Moon Coven’s “Amanita Kingdom” is a production you should take note off. Especially if you are the kind of person that are familiar with and akin to enjoy a band employing the hypnotic effect of repetition within a massive, riff-dominated doom metal context.
My rating: 64/100
