The German band The Sun Or The Moon offers a blend of Progressive and Psychedelic Rock with forays into Space Rock and Krautrock. Formed at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band was unable to offer live shows and concentrated on composition, releasing three studio albums. The new work, entitled “Into The Light” was released on March 21, 2025 via Tonzonen Records and contains 8 tracks, including a 3-section suite at the opening. Listening opens with “Mutant Discotheque (Part 1: Fear Porn),” characterised by a hypnotic bass line that gives body to the track. Around this killer bassline the band develops percussion inserts and melodies enriched by modulations and effects, while dynamic vocals develop the interesting themes of the lyrics. In the finale of this first section, the band explores experimental and psychedelic sounds with keyboards and horns enriched by the effects in evidence. Connecting to the previous one through effects, “Mutant Discotheque (Part 2: Alienation Hop)” opens with an energetic, funky rhythm section. A touch of Jazz Prog is given by the wind melodies, to which is added a warm and expressive vocal, with layers and engaging choral refrains. The band weaves Progressive, Jazz/Fusion and their own personal touch, with more electronic keyboard interventions, offering fresh and modern Krautrock. In the finale, the piece ends with electronic drumming and sounds closer to Kosmische Musik, leading us to the third and final section of the suite. “Mutant Discotheque (Part 3: The Circle)” opens with an energetic sound that takes us into more Progressive territory with fine choral parts and solo cues. The band ranges between the different influences that characterise their personal style, enhancing their compositional and performing technique. The title track “Into The Light” opens with a solid rhythm section to which are added more modern, electronic sounds and a vocal that give an Ambient feel to the sound. Through extended instrumental sections the band develops an engaging piece, inserting more Heavy elements in some passages and enriching the structure with continuous tempo changes. “Living Room Disaster” is the longest track on the album, surpassing 9 minutes in length, moving on Art Rock and Prog sounds. The first part of the track, mostly sung, then gives way in the middle section to an intense instrumental section with more Progressive traits. With the return of the vocal the track ends, returning to the initial theme. The album’s shortest track, “Mental Eclipse,” is a combination of Experimental, Kosmiche Musik and Krautrock, with keyboards and electronic modulations developing the theme. The album termian with “Bridal Day,” carattwerized by a deep, hypnotic bass line and electronic drummingand acomplementing rhythm section. The warm and expressive vocals and inserts of keyboards and guitar develop a deep and very elaborate piece that combines the sounds of the past with more modern ones. In a constant musical crescendo, the band explores different genres and styles through a prolonged rhythm section culminating in a fine interweaving of analog and digital instruments. Third studio album for this band that confirms what has been heard previously, offering a mature album. The sounds range from Progressive to Kosmische Musik, via Krautrock and Psychedelia, always finding the right meeting point between the classic and the innovative. Between effects and modulations the band offers intense listening from start to finish, recommended for lovers of Krautrock sounds, with a good dose of electronic sounds and experimentations that blend with Progressive and Psychedelic/Space Rock.
Tracklist
01. Mutant Discotheque (Part 1: Fear Porn) (06:14)
02. Mutant Discotheque (Part 2: Alienation Hop) (05:17)
03. Mutant Discotheque (Part 3: The Circle) (04:29)
04. Into The Light (06:23)
05. Living Room Disaster (09:43)
06. Mental Eclipse (03:46)
07. Bridal Day (08:09)
Lineup
Frank Incense / Bass, Modular Synthesizers, Keyboards, Baritone Guitar, Vocals
Susanne Schneider / Keyboards, Piano
Markus Weber / Guitar
Marcus Pukropski / Drums
Thom Gue / Vocals
With:
Daniel Reck / Winds
Magdalena Wine / Vocals (8)
