Ancient Creation : Moonlight Monument
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Moonlight Monument is the third album from Kansas City-based metal band Ancient Creation. The band, newly signed to Heaven and Hell Records, has a sound that’s tough to pin down. There’s a strong traditional metal backbone, but there are also elements of power, thrash and even some traces of progressive and doom metal. It’s a killer mix of sounds, and one that brings to mind Obsession, Annihilator, (early) Iced Earth, Sanctuary, and to some degree the power/thrash of Helstar and Vicious Rumors.
Moonlight Monument starts on a strong note, with the wicked “Profane Destiny” (those opening riffs are very “Night of the Stormrider”) and continues with the dark heaviness of “Black Reflection.” That sense of darkness and heaviness pervades the album regardless of how fast or slow the songs are. Part of that is the lyrical content, which is bleak and apocalyptic in the best metal tradition. But even “At Dusk,” the instrumental introduction to the title track has that dark aura.
Speaking of that title track, “Moonlight Monument” is probably the album’s finest song, with some very impressive high-speed riffs and intricate yet soulful solos. With their thundering rhythms, the powerful, almost doomy “Drifting to Fade” and “Stories in the Snow” are also highlights. There’s really not a weak song to be found though.
Ancient Creation did a fantastic job with this one. Moonlight Monument is an album that has a classic heavy metal sound without getting blatantly nostalgic, and it’s also an album that gets better and reveals a bit more each time you spin it. If you’re a fan of traditional, power, or thrash metal (or all points in-between) with a darker edge, Moonlight Monument is an album you’ll definitely want to check out.
Genre: Metal
Band:
Steve Bentley (v)
Peter Nisenkier (g)
Andy Critz (b)
Kevin Keeton (d)
Maxx Christopher (g)
Track Listing:
1. Profane Destiny
2. Black Reflection
3. Apocalypse
4. With Anguish
5. Through Prophets Eyes
6. Drifting to Fade
7. Stories In the Snow
8. At Dusk
9. Moonlight Monument
Label: Heaven & Hell Records
Website: www.myspace.com/ancientcreation
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.7/10