Alpha Test

Imagined as a concert that Bach could have instigated, this disc explores the Cantor ‘s art of transcription and reveals the wealth of influences which the Germanic empire was exposed to in the first half of the eighteenth century. Going back and forth between fantasy and counterpoint, between German and Italian styles, Bach makes these forms and styles his own and thus plays with the rich sound pallets of the viola da gamba and the harpsichord. This album is the first recorded by two rising stars whose tremendous energy and complicity has conferred greater depth to this concert.

Alpha Noir is a welcome revisit to the band’s early works and probably their most ferocious sounding since their debut, Wolfheart (1995). This is due in no small part to the guitar work. Throughout this album the guitars offer face melting riffs and wild soloing that lasts more than a few seconds here and there. Additionally, there is a ton of lead work happening at all times and it just makes everything bigger and angrier. Not unlike brethren Paradise Lost and Amorphis though, Moonspell dig deep and craft a much heavier album than anyone expected.