Red Moon Architect - October Decay

Red Moon Architect is a melodic death/doom band from Finland, who formed in 2011. Their latest album, “October Decay,” is their sixth full-length album; they have also released an EP.

Original member Saku (drums, keys) and company returns after five years from the release of the previous album, “Emptiness Weighs The Most.” Once more, he steers this doomed ship to ghostly waters and eerie dimensions. Both his drumming and the layers he provided with his keyboards, smother this album with an atmosphere that is both expansive and crushing.

Guitarists Taneli and Pyry, along with bassist Jukka, compound these layers with blankets of sweltering, slow moving riffs and their own brand of melodic tendencies that weep gently in the wind as much as they squeeze blood from a musical void with steep, dark guitar tones.

Last but certainly not least are the two vocalists, Anni and Ville. Together, these two take a classic ‘beauty and the beast approach,’ but it isn’t so cut and dry as some bands. Each of them has plenty of time to shine but they only do so when needed. Their amazing vocals fit into the puzzle of this music as another instrument, doing their part in making sure each note is where it needs to build the passage that is called for.

With six tracks and just under 50 minutes of runtime, it balances its time well with everything falling into place in a very smooth fashion—from one second to the next, this album flows into itself and is most effective being played from beginning to end. 

Personally, it has been hard to stop listening to this album. I have other albums to review, and things to listen to for my own pleasure, but it has been difficult to put this one down although I have no doubt I will continue to return to it.

It’s such a beautifully put together album. It’s tragic yet darkly adventurous in ways that only doom metal can be. Each song has a near bottomless depth, the individual players and vocalists coming together to build up a little world within.

And what a world it is. “Frozen Tomb,” is surprisingly urgent in the beginning. speed isn't used for this feeling but instead impeccable use of melodic harmonies and keys against the grain of stark riffs.

Anni's gentle and emotional vocals are cold, distant but meld into the atmopshere so perfectly that she's like a ghost's echo caught in FATHOMLESS catacombs

Around the 3:22 an atmospheric passage of surreal and even a little frightening tones takes over, turning the song into an expansive world of clean tones and liminal spaces. It is harrowing but at the same time magical. 

Ville's performance afterwards is a void of no return, sucking in all light and returning only hollow shadows.

“The Depths,” is just that—a melancholic descent that grows darker the further it's explored. The slow trudge of the melodic riffs push every forward, until they clash against the vocals. At this point, the song washed over like the burst of long held feelings that can no longer be contained. The drums and bass are intense, suffocating rhythms that offer a stark counterpart to the melodies. 

"Decay of Emotions,” is my favorite song on the album and definitely the centerpiece. It’s a 12 minute long example of how doom metal should be. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this song, other than it ends. The somber interplay between the vocalists is infectious while the mournful doom pulls tight on the heartstrings. 

Around the 6:24 mark, clean notes cut in leaving the heaviness to fade away like a spector leaving to escape daylight. The lead guitar is masterfully played–nothing fancy but complimenting the mood of the song perfectly. It eventually steers the song back to heavier waters, this time on a more funeral doom like soundscape.

“In Silence,” is heavy on the atmosphere, building up with melodic tinges that ride atop steep tones and slow but potent drums. I really like the death growls here, the most aggressive on the album….I can hear the pain and desperation in them. The final half is laced with subtle but effective usage of keys.

“On The Edge of Sanity” feels like it pairs with “In Silence,” as if this deafening silence is at the boiling point, pushing the psyche to places it shouldn't be. This one is slightly faster paced and more immediate than some of the other songs. I love the flow of the music, switching from ultra heavy riffs to melodic/atmo passages with ease. 

“First of October,” is a fantastic ending to a fantastic album. The beginning is tragic and cinematic, quiet but very loud at the same time. The first half of the song is an expanding shadow then the second half is the darkness towring over, watching and waiting.  

Red Moon Architect’s blend of melodic textures and the dismal heaviness has never been more potent or engaging than it is on “October Decay.” As far as I am concerned, this is an example of a perfect doom metal.  

Rating: Masterful