Bindrune Recordings is a label that is synonymous, in my mind, with quality.  Their releases aren’t a constant barrage, but anytime one shows up on our promo planner, I know I can take a chance on it and not be disappointed, to say the very least.  Because of reasons, I’m a little late to the party in reviewing Only the Stars Know of My Misfortune, but I couldn’t let a Bindrune recording pass me by without putting my thoughts to the proverbial paper.  Especially not when the release has a premise as interesting as ISLEPTONTHEMOON does…

ISLEPTONTHEMOON is an anonymous solo project based out of Atlanta, GA; beginning life as a humble DSBM outlet for the mastermind to break free from the restrictions of their main project Wounds of Recollection, and the need to perfect every fine detail of that project versus playing whatever one feels like in the moment.  On and off, ISLEPTONTHEMOON released small recordings sporadically, but the project ramped up on 2022 with My Misery is Carved Into the Flesh of This World, which made quite a few people stand up and take notice, including the folks at Bindrune.  This brings us to Only the Stars Know of My Misfortune, the third full length release, and one that expands upon the bonus influences of indie rock and slowcore that were added to the post-black metal formula ISLEPTONTHEMOON became known for.  Slowcore isn’t something you often see paired with black metal, but personally, as soon as I read that I knew I had to get my hands on this album.  To quote Leo DiCaprio: “You had my curiosity, now you have my attention.”  Everything on Only the Stars is a labor of love from its creator: the whole record was written, recorded and mixed at home, with mastering help from the great Spenser Morris, and the music “The music hits like a hot wire of traumatic life experience processed through embattled feelings where depression, anger and even moments of joy congeal into this vibrant union of musical styles.”

As soon as the Hum-like jangly chords of “Safety” opened Only the Stars, I knew I had placed my faith correctly.  Post-rock, shoegaze and their ilk are hardly rare influences in today’s black metal scene, but when done right, they’re like oxygen to me.  And this, dear reader, is done right.  The sacrifice of perfection for immediacy does wonders for the vibes on this album: it’s not about making music that is technically flawless, but rather about expelling a full range of unfiltered emotions.  And Only the Stars truly covers everything: delicate guitar and keyboard chords reminiscent of indie and slowcore, ripping black metal, soaring melodies and lead work, howled vocals and huge post-rock crescendos.  Obviously, the point is to be evocative, and while that can border on the melodramatic at times, the guitar melodies paired with somber piano and synth hit me in just the right spot, and I don’t really care if it’s a little over the top.  The slower, quieter and more contemplative sections serve to break the album up and give it something of a unique identity amongst its peers anyway, and all the pieces come together in a way that is cohesive and supportive of each other.  Truth be told, the biggest complaint I have about Only the Stars is that I want more of it: at just over 30 minutes, I find myself wishing it was longer, if only so I could hear more of the slowcore and indie sections that I am really, really digging on this release.  I guess I’ll settle for starting the album over immediately upon finishing it, and if this is the continuation of the project releasing music in earnest, then I cannot wait to hear what comes next.  I myself am actually surprised by how much I enjoy this album, and I went into it expecting to enjoy it.  

“What you get out of the experience is what you go into it carrying with you,” says ISLEPTONTHEMOON of Only the Stars Know of My Misfortune.  It’s a small wonder why they have made it to a label that feels like a perfect fit for them and what they do.  Bindrune really doesn’t miss, and this album is really something special.  It’s definitely going to be talked about again as the year winds down.

— Ian

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Only the Stars Know of My Misfortune is available now on Bindrune Recordings.  For more information on ISLEPTONTHEMOON, visit their Instagram page.