Album Review: Argesk – Moonlight Pyromancy

 

Album Review: Argesk – Moonlight Pyromancy

Label: Matriarch Records
Released: 17th October 2025
Rating: 9/10

It's not often that a second album from a black metal band leaves you genuinely floored, but Manchester's Argesk have done exactly that with Moonlight Pyromancy. I'll be honest—when I first discovered this lot through their 2020 debut Realm Of Eternal Night, I was impressed but cautiously optimistic. That album showed promise, a band clearly finding their feet in the melodic black metal sphere, nodding to the greats like Emperor, Dissection, and early Cradle of Filth. But Moonlight Pyromancy? This is something altogether different. This is a band that has not only found their voice but learned to wield it like a bloody great flaming sword.

 I've got the headphones on ready to dive into what I hope will be a worthy successor to an already solid debut. The opening track, "Invocation," begins to play and immediately I'm transported. It's a short instrumental piece, barely two minutes, but it does exactly what any good intro should do—it opens the gateway. There's something almost cinematic about it, the way the synths wash over you like a cold mist rolling across a graveyard at twilight. It's atmospheric without being overblown, setting the tone perfectly for what's to come.

And then "Servant Of Fire" absolutely explodes into life and what immediately strikes me about this album compared to Realm Of Eternal Night is the sheer confidence on display. Where the debut occasionally felt like a band testing the waters, Moonlight Pyromancy is Argesk diving in headfirst with absolute conviction. The songwriting is tighter, the melodies are more memorable, and there's a narrative quality to the album that makes it feel like a complete work rather than just a collection of songs.

"Accursed Victory" is where things really start to sink their hooks in deep. This track is an absolute masterclass in dynamics. It begins with a deceptively gentle guitar line, almost melancholic, before gradually building in intensity. The emotional weight of the track is palpable—there's tragedy here, genuine sorrow wrapped up in layers of distortion and blast beats. The guitar work throughout is nothing short of stunning. The leads are evocative without being overly flashy, each note carefully placed to maximum effect. It's the kind of track that reminds you why melodic black metal, when done right, can be so devastatingly beautiful.

"Black Castle Waltz" is—and I don't use this term lightly—a triumph. The title alone hints at something grand and theatrical, and the track delivers on that promise in spades. There's a regal quality to the composition, a sense of dark majesty that conjures images of candlelit ballrooms and ancient aristocracy.

Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that "Wreathing Serpent" might just be my favourite track on the entire album. This is the centrepiece, the beating heart of Moonlight Pyromancy, and it absolutely justifies that position

 

"Tempest" follows, and it's another track that showcases just how far this band has come. There's a sense of controlled chaos here, the musical equivalent of watching storm clouds roll in across the horizon. The production really shines on this track—you can hear every element clearly, from the bass rumbling underneath like distant thunder to the cymbals crashing like lightning strikes. It's immersive in the best possible way, the kind of track that demands you turn the volume up and let it wash over you completely.

And then we arrive at the title track, "Moonlight Pyromancy."

If ever there was a track designed to close an album with maximum impact, this is it. It's epic in scope, triumphant in execution, and absolutely dripping with dark magic.

But wait—there's more! As if the standard album wasn't enough, we're treated to a reprise of "Black Castle Waltz" featuring guest vocals from Dean Seddon, formerly of Hecate Enthroned. For those keeping track, this reunites Seddon with drummer Bob Kendrick, and you can hear that chemistry in the performance. Seddon's banshee wails add an extra dimension to the track, a different flavour of extremity that complements the original perfectly. It's a lovely bonus, a gift to the fans that feels earned rather than tacked on.

What really sets Moonlight Pyromancy apart from the debut is the sense of ambition on display. Realm Of Eternal Night was a solid album that showed a band with potential. Moonlight Pyromancy is the sound of that potential being fully realised. The compositions are more complex without becoming convoluted, the melodies are more memorable without sacrificing extremity, and the overall vision is clearer and more focused. You can tell that the time between albums has been spent wisely, honing their craft, tightening their song writing, and pushing themselves to create something truly special.

The album also benefits from excellent pacing. At eight tracks (including the intro and reprise), it never outstays its welcome. Each song flows naturally into the next, and the whole thing sits at a length that invites repeated listens rather than feeling like a marathon endurance test. In an era where bands often feel compelled to deliver seventy-minute epics, there's something refreshing about an album that gets in, makes its statement, and gets out while leaving you wanting more

So do yourself a favour—light some candles, pour yourself a drink, turn off the lights, and immerse yourself in Moonlight Pyromancy. Let it transport you to those moonlit castle halls, let the fire of Argesk's conviction burn away any doubts you might have had about modern melodic black metal. This is the real deal, and it's glorious.

Welcome to the pyromancy. You're going to want to stay a while.