Year: 2023
Label: Signal Rex / Bestial Burst
Rating: 7 / 10
This Finnish band consists of some prominent people from the Finnish scene - a bassist of BLOOD RED FOG and Harald Mentor ((RIDE FOR REVENGE, BESTIAL BURST label), as well as a certain U. These people, especially Harald, tend to develop the Black Metal genre in the right directions without losing connection to its roots. "Ophidian Glare" can also be described as an illustrative work in this regard.
On the one hand, the album strongly resembles the old Belarusian Black Metal such as PAGAN, KARACZUN or even DEOFEL (first of all, for this reason, I decided to write a full review on it). It is based on primitive, but very strong and pushy structures that are familiar to my ear. The vocals are also quite specific, like of Alex Barodzicz, but less emotional.
On the other hand, the songs allow themselves to swim into unknown waters from time to time. The overall gloomy atmosphere contributes to the easy transition of the sound to the field of doom metal, which the band willingly uses. But more often than not, MOON ORACLE sends their best wishes to "Drawing Down the Moon"; sudden bursts and lulls can be recognized by everyone who has listened attentively to the iconic BEHERIT album. Of course, "Ophidian Glare" is not nearly so airless, but it has its own element: this album is like a black seething ocean in some deserted corner where the sun never looks in and from where there is no return. Black Waters of Heaven Sea (if you know, you know).
English (UK) 
Крыўская