Release Date: September 05th 2025. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) - Tracklisting
1.Moonchild Ritual 06:07
2.Supernova 05:12
3.Ophidian Future 08:06 video
4.Sunfish 04:40
5.At The Mountains of Madness 05:43
6.Stoned Ape 08:41
Members
Kaleb M. Riser - Vocals, Guitar, Synth, Electric Sitar
Kevin Lewis - Vocals, Bass, Keyboard, Pipe Organ
Jeff Vandebussche - Vocals, Drums, Percussion
Review
Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is the latest record from Black Moon Cult who throw every groove, sound, rhythm and melody from the Psych/Stoner Metal movement with this album running for over thirty eight minutes in length. However, the album feels twice as long with Black Moon Cult playing a wide array of different style of melodies with fantastical creative insight. That creative vision is brought to life even further with Prog Rock/Metal techniques being added throughout the album.
With a multitude of different instruments played by the three core members to almost pure perfection especially on the experimental parts of the record where things like Electric Sitar and Pipe Organ make an appearance. However, it’s also the traditional instrumental sounds that make up the majority of the heavy based melodies with intense grooves being overplayed against areas of destructive Fuzz, Cosmic Rock and Space Rock for a sound you don’t really come across that much.
The vocals are EPIC but also wonderfully WEIRD which sees all three members branch out into louder areas of Heavy Metal at the drop of a hat. To confuse matters is Black Moon Cult’s dramatic use of Middle Eastern Trippy Sound Effects which sees this record having a weird “KrautRock” attitude before switching into other areas of Mystical Heavy Metal.
With influences ranging from Black Sabbath, Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and KYUSS this never deters Black Moon Cult being their own band where they play their own highly original style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal with intense lyrics to match. There is a sense of weirdness appearing for all of the tracks but you can’t help be impressed by the band’s storytelling skills and the whole narrative of the record being completely BONKERS but also quite grounded at the same time on tracks such as: Moonchild Ritual, Supernova, Ophidian Future and Stoned Ape.
Those tracks were the main standouts for myself as that’s where Black Moon Cult impress the most with their fearless playing and intense sludgy melodies that even had a “NO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude being added just for the sheer hell of it. Some may complain that Black Moon Cult are trying too hard here with the multitude of different styles that appear on the record and perhaps maybe play it safer. I’m grateful that Black Moon Cult feel brave and bold to release a wonderfully weird record like this for their debut album.
The band are aiming BIG with Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) and it really does have a gigantic CINEMATIC quality which taps right into the classic heyday of 1970’s Hard Rock EXCESS but delivers this with a free-flowing modern day attitude which is where the REAL MAGIC happens.
Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is delightfully weird and absolutely bonkers at the same time. However, it’s also a brilliantly entertaining record with Black Moon Cult delivering a highly anthemic and original sound of their own making.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Metal Devastation Radio PR for the promo.
Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records.
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