Customer Reviews

Abscence

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After having been subjected to poorly executed, rehashed metal albums from new bands for nigh an eternity, "The Absence" by Luna Mortis comes as a breath of fresh air in a music scene deluged by mediocrity. To compare Luna Mortis to another female-fronted metal band would be a tragic disservice, as Mary Zimmer's beautiful, full-bodied contralto stands in stark contrast to the breathy sopranos and "one trick pony" guttural vocalists that constitute the status quo. Zimmer can do guttural vocals with the best of them, but that is just one of the many techniques she has mastered.

Brian Koenig's guitar work (along with rhythm guitarist Cory Scheider) is in the league of players like Vai, Malmsteen, and Petrucci, shattering the mold of the modern metal guitarist who relies on slack tunings and excessive gain to compensate for lack of technique and ability. Just when we thought that guitar lines and solos in today's heavier music would consist of nothing more than overly-saturated power chords and pentatonic wankery, we get the virtuoso playing and dual guitar harmonies that have been so sorely missed. If you happen to be the type that appreciates true musical talent and ability, you'll love this album. Every member of Luna Mortis is truly a professional on his/her instrument, and the finished product shows exactly that.

Of course, all would be for naught if the songwriting wasn't there. The fabric of the song is 99% of the battle, and Luna Mortis has it nailed down. Koenig's compositions are beautifully melodic, intricate, and quite memorable. Without relying on any clichés or cheap pop hooks, his songs draw you in and make you want to keep listening over and over again. Even when you're not listening to music, you'll often find Luna Mortis still playing in your head - a rare feat for a contemporary metal band. I'm particularly fond of the songs "Ash," "Ruin," and "Forever More," but if someone asked me to name the best songs on the album, I'd just say "tracks one through ten."

The title of this review say it all. The influence of Maiden is there with the story telling in the lyrics, the Killer riffs with a flare of Judas Priest is there and the headbangability of Slayer all packaged with Luna's personalized touch. Mary's dynamic vocal range can only be compared to Rob Halford's without the over the top opera stuff. This is one for the ages for sure and I personally can't wait till their next one comes out.

Formerly known as Ottoman Empire, Luna Mortis is a heavy metal band hailing from the cheese state Wisconsin. I discovered them through one of the social networking websites a couple of years ago and immediately became a fan of their music. THE ABSENCE is a culmination of the last few years the band spent playing bars between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The results is fantastic. The songs are all loaded with aggressive guitar riffs, thunderous percussion, throbbing basslines, and powerful vocals. Mary Zimmer's vocals are mostly clean but she does tread into the more aggressive side similar to what you would hear in Otep and Archenemy's music. When Mary's vocals are clean, her vocal range is amazing. Mary is backed up by a band who is just as talented as she is. The aggressive guitar riffs never ovewhelms Mary when she is singing. Brian Koenig and Cory Scheider are both talented guitarists in their own right. The rhythm section of Jacob Bare (bass) and Erik Madsen (drums) provides the backbone of the band. Song-wise, I enjoyed all ten tracks. The music has everything that I can ask for in a heavy metal band, aggressive guitar riffs and catchy melodies. I do hope in the future the band explores a little more with their music and diversify their sound but overall I say THE ABSENCE gets five stars from me.

This is really good metal from a fresh american band. Think Arch Enemy and At the Gates meets Kamelot, and Stratovarius, with a little Evanescence. Luna Mortis has powerful female vocals from Mary Zimmer, both clean and harsh, which showcase the dynamics of this band. They are extremely melodic, containing the best elements of Melodic Death, and Power, and Progressive metal, along with all the classic metal influences. They used to be the Ottoman Empire, but recently changed their name to Luna Mortis helping to signify them as a darker band. While not gothic metal, they have some of those tendancies, which totally fits their newfound moniker, but completely pave out new paths along their heavy metal journey. There are a few flaws in this CD, but it is still very enjoyable, especially the brutal melo-death/thrashy guitar, and death metal vocals. Luna Mortis is one of the bright spots on the new american metal sphere.

i bought this cd at a show they played. it runs the range from thrash metal, to black metal, to the best female fronted prog metal bands, and even a bit of power metal. so it is good.

it starts off with a rocking first track. "ash" is a very thrash track and it smokes. the double bass is quite choice in this track.
"ruin" has almost a black metal in feel. there are 2 different and distinct parts. the heavy and the melodic. think like the "shrink and grow" in fatal tragedy by dream theater. the vocals are very harsh but it is very good and fits the mood.
"this departure" is my absolute favorite song on this cd. the lyrics are really good. they are dark in a beautiful way. the vocals really showcase her range and ability. the strings at the end just add the last bit to it. it has an almost tarja nighwish feel to it.
"the absence" is an absolute scorcher. guttural vocals, massive double bass drums and tons of palm muting. absolutely thermo-nuclear.
"forever" more seems to miss it for me. it seems like a pop single. it just seems to clash with the heaviness of overall album. probably the only real miss.
"never give in" has a very machine head kind of sound. it just gets to the point.....and keeps going forward.
"last defiance" almost reminds me of bullet for my valentine's song "tears don't fall" coarse vocals that go back to melodic and guitar counterparts. nothing special but it is ok.
"phantoms" is a good song. it has a good power metal sound. almost gamma ray like. melodic when needed and aggressive when needed.
"embrace the end" has a megadeth feel. the minor descending lines going into an almost gallop is cool. the middle part reminds me of "washington is next" when the solo comes in for that in the middle. the last solo is almost john petrucci in sound.

is it the best. probably not. its not in my must have but it is about an hour of high quality music that really doesn't miss the mark. now day if you get 1 good song on a cd you are doing well. this has 5 really good songs, 3 good songs, and 2 that are just meh. but if i can get 8 winners that is a good album.

Yeah, I heard this band on "Headbangers' Ball" on the MTV. I can't remember why I broke my rule of buying an album for one song. Most of it is slightly contrived melodic, gothic European metal. It isn't bad, but it isn't great. It is kind of "Ehhh.."

This is one of the fewe metal bands that seem to have their own personality. Seems like there has been a flood of bands in every genre persuing the same sound because it sells. This is an exception. The album balances all components: rich melodic vocals, incisive growls, full guitars (that aren't the only thing you hear), a well-used bass and coordinated drums.
A few to check out for this sort of thing:
Straight Line Stitch
Unleash The Archers (very hard stuf)