It is truly amazing what talent is hidden around the world of music that doesn't get picked up by the UK or North American press as much as it should. With recent media darlings including people like Zola Jesus, PJ Harvey, Esben & The Witch and the general search for anything gothic that hasn't been tampered with and exploited by Hollywood, bands such as Estonia's Luna Vulgaris still pass under most people's radar. There is something to be said for keeping gothic music away from pretend grumpy teenagers and vampire obsessives. Not only do these guys have a great band name, they use Roman numerals in the title of the EP. Most importantly of all is that they seem to be the real deal, not contrived.
You will have guessed the mood of the music already, but anyone can make things dark, menacing and mysterious. Carrying it out with conviction is a different matter. Once you've heard the pained vocals and toned-down dirge of 'Honey Blood' you know these guys can be taken seriously. The military drumming keeps the atmosphere steady but natural. 'Pyramid Of Gold' hits harder thanks to a rise in tempo and some restrained, chugging guitar. The final two tracks are sung in Estonian, and having no knowledge of the language whatsoever this only serves to make them more enigmatic, especially the pleading cries on 'Jogi'. Does the fact that this is labelled 'XIII' mean we have a lot to catch up on?
Luna Vulgaris' website
Stream or download the EP
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