In this week’s entry of Roland’s pick for Metal Album of the Week series, I wanted to highlight an album from a band that I discover by accident at a festival a decade ago.
Album: “Amer”
Band: Moonreich
They hail from Paris in France, and this album will make you question your reality and the boundaries of melody.
Read on to learn more!
My introduction to Moonreich goes back to 2016, when I attended the only edition of Messe des Morts that I’ve ever gone to in Montreal.
At the time, I was primarily there to see bands like Ulcerate, Aosoth, Cult of Fire, and Phobocosm. As often happens at festivals, though, some of the biggest discoveries come from the bands you weren’t planning to see.
That was Moonreich.
The moment they hit the stage, my interest was immediately piqued. Who are these guys? They were absolutely crushing it live. After their set, I looked them up and discovered they were a black metal band from Paris. Everything I had just witnessed suddenly made sense.
If you know me, you know I tend to have a soft spot for bands coming out of France. That said, I’m also very cautious about what bands I choose to support. Black metal, unfortunately, has its share of bands with questionable associations, and I have no interest in supporting that side of the scene. Personally, I’ve never subscribed to the idea of separating the art from the artist. They are inseparable, in my opinion.
Thankfully, after doing my homework, I couldn’t find anything sketchy about Moonreich. Just a genuinely excellent black metal band making outstanding music.
I’ve kept an eye on them ever since.
So when I saw that their latest album, “Amer”, had been released, I couldn’t wait to dive in. And wow, it absolutely delivered.
This record checks a lot of boxes for me. It’s harsh and atmospheric without sacrificing clarity. The production is excellent, allowing every layer to breathe while maintaining the intensity that black metal demands. Most importantly, the album makes thoughtful use of melody and harmony, creating emotional depth without diluting its aggression.
Another aspect I really appreciate is the songwriting. Many of the tracks stretch into longer runtimes, giving the compositions room to develop naturally. That’s something I’ve always gravitated toward, and Moonreich uses that space effectively, building tension and atmosphere rather than simply extending songs for the sake of it.
One thing that particularly stands out to me is the experimental edge woven into their riffing. Moonreich aren’t afraid to push beyond the genre’s more predictable boundaries. There are moments throughout Amer where unexpected chord choices, unconventional harmonies, and adventurous guitar work add an extra layer of intrigue to the music. It never feels forced or overly progressive for the sake of being different. Instead, these elements serve the songs and help create a sound that feels fresh, distinctive, and uniquely their own.
“Amer” is French black metal at its finest: fierce, immersive, melodic, experimental enough, and deeply engaging from start to finish.
Highly recommended.
And hopefully one day I’ll get to see Moonreich live again, this time not by accident.
As for the production, there’s a lot to love here!
The guitar and bass tones are absolutely fantastic. The guitars have that classic scooped character, but they never feel thin or disconnected from the mix. Instead, they blend beautifully with the bass, which occupies that crucial 500 Hz to 2 kHz range and provides plenty of body and definition. If I had to guess, there are some Mesa-style amp tones at play here. Whatever the exact setup was, the result is excellent.
The drums also sound clean, lively, and natural. They cut through the mix without feeling over-processed, giving the album plenty of energy and impact.
What stands out most to me, however, is the midrange treatment. It’s incredibly smooth and well-balanced, embodying many of the qualities I enjoy in modern black metal production without ever crossing into that sterile or plastic-sounding territory. Everything feels cohesive, powerful, and organic.
In fact, I’ve used “Amer” as a sonic reference on more than one occasion.
That alone should tell you how much I appreciate the balance and overall execution of this mix.
Outstanding work all around!
Favourite Tracks:
“Astral Jaws” and“The Cave of Superstition”
Playlist
Streaming Platforms
Listen to Moonreich on: