Moloch Conspiracy – Incantations From Ugarit (Album – Eighth Tower Records)

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, ritual.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: French artist Julien A. Lacroix strikes back with his third full length opus released by Eight Tower Records. “Incantations From Ugarit” is a conceptual work inspired by different collections of liturgical and religious texts found in the ruins of the city of Ugarit (Syria).
Content: The main essence of this work is clearly driven by dark-ambient elements, but the theme of the work might explain some ritual atmosphere hanging over the tracks. I’m referring to multiple sounds of bells and carrions. The tracks have been progressively built up, but always carried by a hostile atmosphere. Some bleeps are now and then joining. A few tracks are featuring spooky-like spoken voices and other mysterious, haunting chants.
+ + + : The sonic universe emerging from this album is pretty ominous, but that’s exactly what dark-ambient music has to reflect don’t you think?! Behind this particular obscure sound universe I also like the somewhat inhibited and intimate approach of the work. The tracks have been accomplished by delicate treatments accentuating this sensation. “Daughter Of Anu” is a remarkable cut in the genre, but I can also mention “The Head Of The Cauldron” for its ritual sphere.
– – – : Globally speaking, I enjoyed this album very much, but I was desperately waiting for a real apotheosis. I’m missing a kind of outburst, the tracks remaining rather ‘controlled’.
Conclusion: If you like dark productions with a real tormenting atmosphere, this new Moloch Conspiracy work is definitely one you have to taste!
Best songs: “Daughter Of Anu”, “The Head Of The Cauldron”, “The Familiar Weapons”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/moloch.conspiracy
Label: www.facebook.com/eighthtowerrecords
About Moloch Conspiracy
Moloch Conspiracy is the dark-ambient project of French artist Julien A. Lacroix. “Incantations From Ugarit” was his third full-length album, released on Eighth Tower Records. Lacroix remained prolific the following year, releasing a second 2021 album, “The Inner Fear”, on Distorted Void.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
