Why I Love Moonlight Haze

I've wanted to write this article for a little bit now. This year we got the third studio album from Italian metal-force that is Moonlight Haze. Since 2018 this band has been pumping out some of my favourite songs of their respective year. Their albums always seem to worm their way into my end-of-year "best of" lists and the new record Animus is much the same. So I wanted to grab a small corner of the internet to really jump into their music. If you happen by this blog then I would recommend going to Spotify, Amazon Music or whichever streaming platform tickles your fancy and listening to them. As, for one, it will make the blog an easier read and, two, introduce you to one my current favourite heavy metal bands.

Founded in 2018 by vocalist, Chiara Tricarico and drummer/keyboardist, Giulio Capone they put together and powerhouse lineup that would bring unique elements that would all elevate the music to the next level. Alessandro Jacobi on bass from bands like Elvenking brings that heavy thunderous tone that locks in the drums and really emphasises the rhythm of the songs. Marco Falanga and Alberto Melinato on the guitars intertwine and create excellent lead and rhythm that bounces off each other. Each guitar lick leads effortlessly into the next and slides into solos. Packaging that up is the powerful drum work from Giulio, also bringing that twinkling synths and keys that seem to act as a binding agent for all of the instruments. Soaring on top of the music are Chiara's vocals. The way she can fluidly move between vocals that are so light and delicate to adding that edge and fry, it gives every song so much character. Add it all together you get a sound that is wholly theirs.

If we turn back the clock to their first album De Rerum Natura (translated from Latin; The Nature of Things). This was their first impressions. You know what they say about first impression. Well, in my humble opinion they made the exact impression they should have. A technically impressive soundboard of styles they could always expand on in the future. I mean right from the first track "To The Moon And Back" you can tell you're in for something super special. I think a lot comes into play with this record. The combined experience of all involved, the spark to make something new, and the thought that this would be the first step in a new project. It all compiles and gives you an end product that will satisfy listeners. When you start a new project you have the opportunity to capture whatever fanbase you want and putting out an album like this certainly got people talking. I remember the online message boards and Facebook groups when this album dropped and you could tell, almost in an instant, it was capturing attention.

This album bounces from fast-paced power metal with a symphonic twist, to twisting and emotionally charged ballads. In my original review of this album in 2019 for Valkyrian Music I basically said that the intricacy of the musicianship mixed with the sincerity of Chiara's vocals made for an exciting listening experience and that I wanted to replay this album as much as I could. Which I did. Listening to it back now, I still love this album. I feel like it was a perfect foot-in-the-door album that introduced you to a new project.

Following that album Moonlight Haze wasted no time in delivering the follow-up. The next year we got Lunaris (translated from Latin; Lunar). I feel this album was their attempt to capitalise on the elements that the fans really responded to. You automatically hear a higher production quality for this album. Everything just sounds that little bit more polished. From the cleaner vocal tracks to the sharper guitar and bass sound. There's just something here that puts you in the mindset that they checked off the elements from the first album they really enjoyed and turned those elements to ten here. The band really put their best foot forward on this one, leading with the single "The Rabbit of the Moon". Though, for me personally an odd choice of lead single, I soon warmed to it. The follow-up featured a more refined sound, songs like "Enigma" and "The Dangerous Art of Overthinking" stood out to me. Though I did find myself listening to this album a lot less than the first. Whether out of reverence for that first record or maybe this album didn't hit all of the same emotional peaks and valleys that I enjoyed.

In retrospect, I do come back to this album from time to time, but it gives you an entirely different listening experience. Even though the two albums were released, pretty much, back to back.

Moonlight Haze would go back to the workshop for their third album. When they returned this year with Animus (translated from Latin; The Mind), I was so pumped. My first taste of this new album was the single "It's Insane". The best way I can describe this song is pop-ready metal music. With its simple but ear-catching melody. It was an instant winner for me. Catchy with an ear-worm of a hook that is easily replayed over and over. Things could only get better. The year soon rolled around and March was upon us and Animus dropped. You better believe this album was instantly front and centre in my Amazon Music playlist. The hype was almost too much for me. However, I can confidently say after many a-listen that Animus is their best work so far.

It's such a joy of an album. It bursts with bliss and passion. I love how much Moonlight Haze just gets it. They get how you're supposed to package their music. They never overcomplicate their writing or their production. They don't get lost in any pretension, they don't bombard you with endless meaningless solos. They just give you effective, efficient music that is designed to make that dark day a little brighter. Songs that paint poetic pictures in your mind. Songs that, for a lack of a better term, are there for your enjoyment. Everything on this album makes me so happy when I listen to it. From the beautiful and well-arranged production to the insightful and well-written lyrics. Animus hits every note that I wanted it to. As someone who has been following since day one, it makes me so happy that they just keep coming back with great album after great album.

I hope in reading this someone, somewhere checks them out and discovers a world of music that excites and engages. Of course, I am heavily biased. Hell, I wrote an entire article just to wax lyrical on how much I love this band. However, I feel the world can be so full of negativity so I just wanted to present you with a band that has genuinely made a small piece of my life a little better. Music is such a powerful thing and I think Moonlight Haze gets that. They're a band that makes the music that they're satisfied with. In turn, they've cultivated a fandom that enjoys the moment with them.

So, what do you take away from this? Other than the fact you should be listening to Moonlight Haze as soon as possible? I think the simple thing I wanted to say is that if you find something that brings you some joy, it's good to pass that around.

Check Out Moonlight Haze Here