Aural Aggravation

MOON FAR AWAY impressively deploy their ability to write captivating acoustic songs with their new advance single ‘To Count Her Names’. The gothic folk duo’s new track is taken from their forthcoming new album Acou (‘Listen’), which is chalked up for release on March 13th, 2026.

MOON FAR AWAY comment: “A cold neo-folk hit in the best traditions of the genre — and the lyrical heart of the Acou album”, male vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Count Ash states. “Yes, grim folkers with long beards sometimes fall into sadness, too. This song features guitarist Roman Khomutsky from the famous Moscow black metal band Uratsakidogi.”

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Some of the richest music is also the hardest to categorise. With their fifth full-length Acou, MOON FAR AWAY embark on a musical exploration of the magical nature of sound. The band from the sub-arctic city of Arkhangelsk in Russia’s north is studying the mythological cycle of the universe by assigning certain sounds and musical styles that range from the archaic and folklore to liturgical, classical, and even experimental music to each stage of its existence.

MOON FAR AWAY were inspired by the finding that the world begins and ends in many ancient legends with a sound – from the utterance of a word to actual music or even the big bang of science. On Acou, which means ‘listen!’ in Greek, the word (lógos) and music (mousĭkḗ) are as fundamental to the fabric of the universe as the classical elements of earth, fire, water, and air.

MOON FAR AWAY have occasionally been referred to as “the heart of Russian gothic folk” or “The Russian Dead Can Dance£””, which are notions that still ring true regarding Acou. Their music appears to be both light and even dreamy on the surface, yet at the same time it comes with a dignity, gravitas and passionate seriousness that set these songs apart from simple pop; despite sounding captivating and melodic.

MOON FAR AWAY have already released four studio albums, a live album, several singles, and numerous collaborations since their inception in 1994. The band from the old Russian harbour city on the White Sea shore has also performed at multiple festivals across Europe. MOON FAR AWAY are taking their inspiration from the folklore and unique ancient heritage of their native lands in the North of Russia.

The North is obviously an area of harsh climatic conditions but also of intense human creativity that found its expression in rich poetry, music, visual culture, and wooden architecture. Unlike central Russia, there was no slavery in the North and to this day, this wide region preserves a most interesting and unique cultural heritage with roots reaching back into pre-Christian time.

MOON FAR AWAY have dedicated themselves to the preservation of local traditions, both musically and culturally. By combining traditional European culture with the soundscapes of the Russian North, and influences from classic to neofolk as well as modern technology, the music of MOON FAR AWAY offers a unique artistic expression where the East meets the West.

With Acou, MOON FAR AWAY present their richest and most complete album so far that will find old and new friends from a wide range of stylistic preferences that certainly include fans of DEAD CAN DANCE, ALCEST, WARDRUNA, and many others – although the unique band from Russia’s North does sound different from all of those mentioned above. There is only one way to find out: "Acou"! Listen!

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