Review UPON STONE ‘Dead Mother Moon’

If you look at the artwork of this record, you might think it’s a dragon and knight release. But you could also think of bands like Amon Amarth and this comparison is certainly more accurate for Upon Stone, even though the guys from San Fernando, CA are dedicated to a slightly different version of death metal.

Upon Stone is a new band that was founded in 2021. In general, the music of the four guys can be described as melodic death metal, but the band is a bit more untamed than what you are used to from other representatives of the genre. That’s why the comparison with Amon Amarth is also a bit misleading.

The vehemence of Upon Stone’s sound has partly to do with the vocals. Frontman Xavier screams his heart out and it is the somewhat hoarse-sounding voice that gives the album a hectic and aggressive note.

At the same time, you get the feeling that the guys don’t yet know exactly where they want to go with all this boundless energy. It’s all wild and raw, with references to the Scandinavian death metal of the 90s. At the same time, it’s the unrestrainedness of youth that puts intensity over diversity. Yet ‘Dusk Sang Fairest’ is a song that hints at the young band’s potential, and the peaceful interlude ‘Nocturnalism’ is another example of the album’s clever structure.

‘Dead Mother Moon’ is a raw and raging debut album of a young band. Upon Stone just started their adventure in death metal and if the guys manage to add some extra structure to their furious metal things could continue doing the right direction.