There has always been a bit of a tradition of anonymity within the Black Metal scene, be it with alter egos behind corpse-painted faces and masks or swapping names for just letters. Following in that tradition is Black Metal trio Margantha with their debut EP offering Blood Moon Sacrifice. The line-up only identified as Nocturnus I on vocals and bass and Nocturnus III on drums, both from Finland and Italian guitarist Nocturnus II.
Margantha – Blood Moon Sacrifice
Release Date: 27 June 2025
Words: Jools Green
All three are experienced musicians from the extreme music scene with a shared artistic vision rooted in darkness, atmosphere, and storytelling, and they felt this continued tradition of anonymity would allow the music to speak for itself.
Blood Moon Sacrifice is a concept work based on a legend passed down orally through generations, told to the vocalist as a child by his grandmother. This is a tale of a werewolf haunting a hunter’s village at the foot of a remote mountain range, adding a rather good horror aesthetic to the concept.
The result is a collection of four songs which the band have created not simply to be listened to but to be experienced in full immersion.
“We always begin with the concept,” Margantha say, explaining how they create their. “The music follows naturally, often starting with a guitar riff or arpeggio and evolving through a collaborative process. We’re not interested in technical exhibitionism.
“Every choice serves the narrative. The resulting material is raw, evocative, and direct, true to the spirit of Black Metal, but enriched with depth and atmosphere.”
Sound-wise, their inspiration comes from the evocative power of Mgła, the intensity of Uada and Gaerea, and the epic darkness of Naglfar and Behemoth while also channelling the spirit of legendary pioneers like Celtic Frost, Venom, and King Diamond. So, as you can imagine, the result is powerful, cold, and atmospheric, and at the same time, it is a very engaging and agreeable listen.
The first single and title track, Blood Moon Sacrifice, opens the EP, and the story unfolds. During a solitary hunting trip in the woods, the protagonist is bitten, marking the start of his curse.
A haunting repeat melody sets the atmosphere of the piece. There is a deceptive depth here because the layers are subtle, almost delicate and very atmospheric, particularly in comparison to the vocals, which are strong and commanding.
Musically, it pares back for the deeper, more deathly vocals and builds back for the acidic, blackened vocals, which are superbly protracted on the screams. A further spoken element towards the close adds impact. I do like the good use of three voices here and the balance and contrast between the music and vocals.
Curse Of The Full Moon, as the title suggests, tells the story of the protagonist’s transformation from man to werewolf. Delivered at a much slower, deliberate pace, it oozes a dark atmosphere. The opening scream is chilling, and the vocals are acidic.
I love the echo of the drum rhythms as they pound in dramatic swathes in the background. This is a dark piece that is so suspenseful and unnerving, but, at the same time, a hypnotically engaging listen. Even better, it is the longest piece on the EP at over seven minutes, so there is plenty to immerse and lose yourself in.
Wolves At The Door refers not to a real wolf pack but to a single werewolf, a nocturnal, primal creature whose thirst for blood and flesh makes it as threatening as an entire pack. As it opens, the riffs give an air of unnerving suspense.
This is an intense, dark driver. The acidic vocals are delivered with unsettling intent, again a piece packed with an engaging atmosphere.
The final piece, Miriam And The Endless Night, features King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRoque. It describes a night that seems to never end, where it seems that not just the father but the whole family are afflicted by the werewolf’s curse.
Haunting ominous riffs and reflective vocals open and dominate the track. Again, there is a good range to the vocal delivery from lower growls to higher acidic hisses. Again, this is a well-phrased piece with impactful pauses and switches, with the direction switching and building just before the impressive swathe of soaring leadwork.
As well as featuring as a guest guitarist on Blood Moon Sacrifice, Andy LaRocque also mixed and mastered at his Sonic Train Studio.
The Blood Moon Sacrifice EP is a promising first release. It will be interesting to see where this trio go from here.
Release via Rockshots Records, the EP is available to preorder from here and will also be available as a digital download from lnk.to/fupeIK.
