Shadow of the Moon
Blackmore's Night · 1997
65 min · 16 tracks · folk rock
A melodic journey through medieval folk, blending lush acoustic instrumentation with ethereal storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shadow of the Moon Start here — The title track sets the tone for the entire album, encapsulating its enchanting atmosphere with haunting melodies and rich harmonies.
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The Clock Ticks On — This song showcases the duo's lyrical depth and musical interplay, effectively blending themes of time with a captivating melody that lingers.
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Ocean Gypsy — A reinterpretation of a classic song, it highlights the group's ability to fuse traditional influences with contemporary folk elements, creating an evocative listening experience.
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Renaissance Faire — This track epitomizes the playful spirit of the album, evoking imagery of historical festivities while maintaining a catchy, accessible sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional folk elements with storytelling, creating a distinct sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features layered acoustic guitars and flutes, establishing a medieval atmosphere.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional instruments like the hurdy-gurdy and lute, enhancing the folk aesthetic throughout.
- The lyrics often tell stories or evoke imagery related to nature and medieval themes, creating a narrative flow across the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies for twilight hours
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- intimate moments for quiet reflection
- enchanting soundscapes for storytelling
- playful tunes for whimsical gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced energy
- prefer standalone track variety
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established Blackmore's Night's new direction and genre significance.
- Themes
- medieval festivities· ethereal storytelling· time's passage
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Shadow of the Moon marked Blackmore's Night's debut album after Ritchie Blackmore's departure from Deep Purple. The album signaled a significant shift in Blackmore's career toward a more acoustic and folk-oriented sound, showcasing his and Candice Night's chemistry both musically and romantically.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Loreena McKennitt· Clannad· Enya
Tracklist
- 1 Shadow of the Moon Start here 5:06
- 2 The Clock Ticks On 5:15
- 3 Be Mine Tonight 2:50
- 4 Play Minstrel Play 3:59
- 5 Ocean Gypsy 6:06
- 6 Minstrel Hall 2:35
- 7 Magical World 4:01
- 8 Writing on the Wall 4:34
- 9 Renaissance Faire 4:16
- 10 Memmingen 1:05
- 11 No Second Chance 5:38
- 12 Mond Tanz 3:33
- 13 Spirit of the Sea 4:50
- 14 Greensleeves 3:46
- 15 Wish You Were Here 5:02
- 16 Possum’s Last Dance 2:42
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Book of Secrets
Loreena McKennitt
Shares a lush acoustic sound with rich storytelling rooted in Celtic and medieval themes.
Lore
Clannad
Blends ethereal vocals and folk instrumentation, evoking mystical narratives akin to medieval folklore.
Watermark
Enya
Combines atmospheric soundscapes and haunting melodies, creating an ethereal listening experience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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