Moonlight - Integrated in the System of Guilt

Moonlight has been around since 1991, but Integrated in the System of Guilt is my first introduction to the band. The album frankly blows me away. Just when I’m ready to write off anything vaguely goth, along comes this gorgeous blend of metal, rock, and electronics. Admittedly, the last two words are basically meaningless without context, and metal and electronics usually mix badly. But this Polish band has somehow managed to find a convergence that transcends mere coexistence and reaches singular identity. What intrigues me even more is the possibility of goth looking forward.

In recent years, the aesthetic has increasingly struck me as conservative and hidebound; old, minimal Cure feels much deeper to me than new, maximal Lacuna Coil. And while Integrated is basically powered by Intel (or Mac), it has life not only beyond, but because of its wires. This album is a headphone delight. Little textures and pulses fly around, sparkling and breathing, yet the guitars are surprisingly dry. Songs dare to go drumless (“Noom”) and to top ten minutes in length (thrice). Cocteau Twins, Tricky, and Stolen Babies come to mind – all good things.

My only gripe? The lame artwork – it does no justice to this record, which would have easily made my Top 20 last year. Oddly, I haven’t found any distro that carries it, but it’s available at Amazon.