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PRETERIST
Blood Moon Rising

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

Preterist is the solo project of Finland-based musician Simon J. Kok (vocals, drums and keyboards), who is joined on this debut opus by Carl Johan Grimmark (guitar, Narnia) and Egon Veevo (bass).

Blood Moon Rising is a rather engaging record of varying flavours as progressive elements flirt with traditional metal gallops. Twelve tracks, an expanse of music and enough variety to draw in anyone who likes elements of the majestic, the gothic, the heavy and the experimental. This is all pretty much summed up by the nifty, racing dynamics of a track such as the anthemic ‘Higher’ where throughout the vocals are clear, commanding and effortless alongside the excellent musicianship.

There are strings, keyboards, stirring leads and so many textures to this record that becomes more glorious with each listen. Strangely, I could imagine this being the sort of album to have emerged in the early 90s due to its diverse nature; an engaging melting pot of ideas and intricacy which take the listener to strange plateaus all situated within a sturdy metal framework.

‘They Are Already Here’ shreds with effortless aplomb with the leads soaring out of a Gothic pasture to the stab of effective keys as the vocals soar like sirens. The menacing chug of the title track is a wonderful surprise and is almost doomy in nature with a wistful, atmospheric interlude, while ‘Power Of My Mind’ is lighter, angular yet kaleidoscopic if a tad glossy. But how can one not be moved by the stirring melodrama of ‘This Body Of Death’, an amazing, soulful track of varying layers but dazzled by its evocative lead work.

Elsewhere, ‘No More Rebellion’ is theatrical, sprawling and epic, featuring the line “There is no more rebellion in rock n’ roll…” which swirls wistfully with power yet sublime wonder, while ‘Fire’ is rich yet progressive and in passages somehow jars with Voivod-esque brilliance mixed with a glammy flair and breathtaking sugary delight.

I strongly recommend that you fully immerse yourself into this rather magical metal experience, a record which really stirs with its effortless grooves.

Neil Arnold

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