Review by Jack on March 4, 2002.

Back in 1997 “Moon in the Scorpio” was just another black metal album. Around such symphonic acts as Dimmu Borgir and Emperor (among countless others, like melodic death today really) Limbonic Art were just another black metal act.

Limbonic Art is composed of the duo of Daemon (lead vocal, guitars, and nocturnal poetry) and Morfeus (electronics, lead guitars, and additional vocals). “Moon in the Scorpio” was one of the first albums released on Samoth’s (now Zamoth from Zyklon, formerly of Emperor, which you all should know) record label Nocturnal Art Productions.

“Moon in the Scorpio”; the debut album from Daemon and Morfeus is in its essence a mysterious combination of worldly keyboard workings, down played guitars and boisterous vocals. Everything Norway was famous for circa 1997. Abound are Opeth length songs (7-14 minutes) in collaboration with silly lyrical uttering about his unholiness; the devil and words pulled randomly from the dictionary. Not a far cry from the likes of Dimmu Borgir and Emperor, you say? Well, yes. Limbonic Art were the typical norm in 1997 for black metal, which I guess in terms of this review would make them rather hard to recommend in front of bands such as the Dimmu’s and Emperor’s... wrong.

Limbonic Art possess a talent for atmosphere and catchy keyboards that perhaps overshadow both the aforementioned juggernaughts. They are sure of how high and low their instruments should be in the production of “Moon in the Scorpio”, which surpass the indecisiveness of many a black metal band. For the dark/evil atmosphere to work in “Moon in the Scorpio”, Limbonic Art knew they had to run a mix with the synthesizers at the forefront.

It helps so much to have a band that wants to create music and they know how they want to create their music. While it would have been very easy to jump on the proverbial band wagon and just create the carbon copy symphonic black metal that one expected from Scandinavia, Limbonic Art took the black metal movement one step further and “Moon in the Scorpio” is testament to their struggle for notoriety.

Bottom Line: “Moon in the Scorpio” is a professional and well thought out black metal record. A band that knows what they want to achieve is a big plus; not an act just hanging on to the coat tails of others. Limbonic Art play some solid stuff.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.9 out of 10