Just like the project it self, this release has a long & varied history been released on various underground labels - it originally appeared back in 2007 on Sweden’s Sombre March Records in edition of 100 tapes, then between 2007 & 2012 it went on to have a further 14 separate releases in both tape & CDR form.  I’m reviewing the most recent re-issue of the album which appeared in tape form in 2012 on Brazil based I Am Your End Productions in an edition of 500 copies, so hopeful this version is now still available.

Like a few of this projects releases this is a compilation of sorts bringing together past tracks from various splits, various demo tracks ect, but surprisingly all twelve tracks here flow together very well to create a consistent release instead of a miss mash of tracks.

Opening up the releases we have “Herbst” which comes in at just shy of the twenty minute mark, and I must say it stands as one of my favourite ambient tracks that this project has ever done. The tracks built around a series of hazed & sometimes wavering lo-fi synth string & echoed synth vibe layers, that  sort of drift, merge & meld with each other in a deeply melancholic yet slight unreal & morose manner- one element will bound ahead, while another swoons, and yet  another with tinkles and darts. It really is a captivating yet unbalancing & deeply atmospheric track.

Most of the remaining eleven tracks find Moloch very much in stark Black metal form with the odd hints  speed-up lo-fi dark rock, punk & goth riffing. The fairly thin sounding cold guitar’s sear & bay along there grim & morose blacked riffs, and the cold drums pestilent batter out fairly  rapid & locked patterns. Sometimes battle or bleak storm like recordings are added on top of these galloping yet stark fixed riff attacks, but mostly we get deeply grim & cold shrieked  blacked screams & rapid bone chilling shouts.  These tracks all sound fairly similar, yet Moloch mangers to put enough subtle variation between each to keep you locked into for the releases entire running time.

I must say the contrast between the lengthy & hazy ambient track, and the more stark cold & persistent blacked metal tracks works so well here. Over the last two or three years I must have heard around 10 to 20 Moloch releases, and I must say “Traurer” stands as one of the most wholly consistent & rewarding releases this project has released, so it’s easy to see why it’s been reissued so many times. If you enjoy a mix of morose ambiences & relentless pounding/ cold black metal this is a must!