Under a Violet Moon
Blackmore's Night · 1999
58 min · 16 tracks · folk rock
A whimsical blend of medieval melodies and rock sensibilities, echoing tales of chivalry and romance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Under a Violet Moon Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's enchanting vibe, blending evocative lyrics with a lively melody that draws listeners into its romantic world.
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Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well) — This track highlights the band's ability to fuse storytelling with rich instrumentation, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing through its lyrical imagery.
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Gone With the Wind — With its hauntingly beautiful arrangement, this song reflects themes of loss and remembrance, showcasing Candice Night's vocal prowess and emotional delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends medieval and rock elements effectively but has some uneven moments in execution.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features layered vocals and a prominent use of acoustic instruments, setting a medieval tone.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional folk melodies, while others blend rock elements, such as electric guitar solos interspersed with lute.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- whimsical storytelling journeys
- immersive listening experiences
- contemplative evening moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their unique sound and contributed to their growing popularity.
- Themes
- Renaissance romance· enchanted landscapes· nostalgic storytelling
- Career context
- Under a Violet Moon is Blackmore's Night's second studio album, following their debut Shadow of the Moon in 1997. By this point, the duo had solidified their unique sound, merging Renaissance-inspired themes with contemporary folk rock, marking a pivotal phase in their artistic journey.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Loreena McKennitt· Clannad· Enya
Tracklist
- 1 Under a Violet Moon Start here 4:23
- 2 Castles and Dreams 3:33
- 3 Past Time With Good Company 3:24
- 4 Morning Star 4:41
- 5 Avalon 3:02
- 6 Possum Goes to Prague 1:13
- 7 Wind in the Willows 4:12
- 8 Gone With the Wind 5:24
- 9 Beyond the Sunset 3:44
- 10 March the Heroes Home 4:39
- 11 Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well) 5:22
- 12 Catherine Howard’s Fate 2:34
- 13 Fool’s Gold 3:31
- 14 Durch den Wald zum Bach Haus 2:31
- 15 Now and Then 3:11
- 16 Self Portrait 3:18
What to play next
Fires at Midnight
2001
Continues the whimsical themes with rich melodies and a similar soundscape.
Shadow of the Moon
1997
Introduces the enchanting style that leads into 'Under a Violet Moon'.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Book of Secrets
Loreena McKennitt
Shares whimsical melodies and medieval themes, weaving romantic storytelling with lush instrumentation.
Banba
Clannad
Combines folk elements with a mystical atmosphere, echoing tales of nature and nostalgia similar to Blackmore's Night.
Picaresque
The Decemberists
Features narrative-driven lyrics and a blend of folk rock and whimsical arrangements that evoke enchanted landscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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