Silver Snakes – Death and The Moon

Willing to experiment and take risks 

With just eight years on the music scene, Silver Snakes have already come out with four full-length albums and one EP. The alternative/indie band has been experimenting with their style since the beginning and returning fans never know what to fully expect. But, their latest album Death and The Moon follows similar vibes that they first explored in their EP Scathe.

For those familiar with the EP, Death and The Moon is reminiscent of the style reflected in it, especially in the guitar. All-in-all, the album does differentiate because it offers more of an electronic beat and synth-heavy vibe.

Out of 11 tracks, two of them don’t have any lyrics and another one has a minimal amount. Both “Mescaline” and “Swallowing Light” are void of anything but instrumental sounds and programmed synth beats. While the former focuses on drawn-out guitar riffs with some effects added near the end, the latter showcases simple drum beats that harmonize well with the piano at the forefront.

Another song that focuses on the beats is “Worship,” that barely has any lyrics compared to the other songs. These three songs are evenly placed throughout the album which gives it a nice flow overall.

Other noteworthy songs of the album are “Lavender” and “Black Fire.” What makes “Lavender” distinguishable from the rest are the female vocals and slower tempo of the overall song. Michelle Malley’s soft, yet engaging vocals weave well with Alex Estrada’s matched tone to create an otherworldly feel.  

But, “Black Fire” definitely steals the show as the song that standouts on the album, and it felt like a title track song in terms of it encompassing the meaning behind the album. Even from the first sound, listeners can feel the energy this song is going to bring.

While the album follows the path they set in Scathe, it took things to the next level with all the programming and beats incorporated throughout. But, the one song that doesn’t quite reach the same level as the rest of the album is “Eclipse.” While the beats created interact with the vocals well, the song as a whole feels like it drags on. There are instances in which it picks up, but overall it feels a bit draggy.

In the end, Silver Snakes show that they never back away from trying new things and are willing to take risks and come out with rewards like Death and The Moon.