LUNAR SHADOW "Wish To Leave" CD

"Lots of melody coupled with electric obscurity, but that explores many other styles that elevate the intensity of what is truly an excellent heavy metal album." - Metal Hammer (PT), 4.5/5

"A work full of melodic emotional chaos, excellent guitar sounds and a sensitive note." - Soundmagnet (AT)

"Lunar Shadow exploit their potiential!" - Stormbringer (AT), 4.5/5

"Creative self-confidence and stylistic diversity!" - Metal.de (DE), 9/10

"It’s a bold step both forwards and away, and it will arguably succeed in its aim of drawing more people into the band’s world." - Distorted Sound (UK)

"A turning point in their career." - Metal Temple (INT), 9/10

"Off the back of this album, the future is looking very bright for Lunar Shadow." - GBHBL.com (UK), 9/10

"The strongest album of the year so far! Highly recommended!" - Rock Hard (DE), 10/10 !!

"Eccentric and brilliant!" - Metalhead (IT), 9/10

"An interesting album that shows a band in transition." - Heavy Music Blog (DE), 8/10

"Eternal music!" - Darkscene (AT), 10/10 !!

"An unexpected album that will stay with you for a while." - Rock Tribune (BE), 8/10

"Unique and enlightening!" - Zero Tolerance (UK)

"Extremely fascinating!" - Powermetal.de (DE), 9.5/10

"Beguiling melancholy and fine arrangements!" - Metal Hammer (DE), 5/7, Soundcheck Pos. 2 !!

"The album is a masterpiece. Grab it as soon as possible and dive in its dark world." - Metal Invader (GR) / Forgotten Scroll (GR)

"'Wish To Leave' will not disappoint any of their older fans and in fact will gather new ones as well." - Metal Zone (GR), 85/100

"A blend of relaxed post punk and harsh NWoBHM." - Streetclip (DE), 8/10

Wish to Leave was recorded from July to November 2020 in Leipzig under the careful eye of engineer/producer Max Herrmann; V. Santura of Dark Fortress and Triptykon fame mastered the album. The six songs found herein are interwoven with melody and darkness with stripped-down guitars and greater emphasis on vocals as well as the rhythmic aspects of Lunar Shadow, who are completed by vocalist Robert Röttig, second guitarist K. Hamacher, bassist S. Hamacher and drummer J. Zehner. It is an album sure to intrigue and puzzle — while several Lunar Shadow sonic trademarks remain in place, Wish to Leave represents a new direction sound borne out of artistic restlessness and ceaseless creativity from Birbaum.

The Wish to Leave album title is an abstract token of escapism. It describes the vague longing Birbaum sometimes has — a wish to leave everything behind him, namely, love and friendship. It is an all-encompassing title, tying together Birbaum’s idea that Wish to Leave is Lunar Shadow’s “big city album.” Indeed, a lot of the lyrics were inspired by Birbaum’s late-night walks home in Leipzig — dark alleys, concrete, the sound of boots clicking against the sidewalk, the gutter, dirt and broken glass all served as the backdrop for his lyrical ideas. Like The Smokeless Fires, Wish to Leave explores themes of love and the complexity of relationships. Acclaimed author Robert E. Howard is again used as inspiration — his stories The Screaming Skull of Silence and The Striking of the Gong served as the lyrical foundation for “And Silence Screamed.”