Recorded at Studio Fredman with legendary producer Fredrik Nordström, it comes as no surprise that the sound quality of this self-financed debut is top-notch. What really makes The Fifth Sun rise above the death metal competition is the truly remarkable musical skills and songwriting displayed. Executed with the fury and passion of hungry newcomers, yet combined with the maturity you could only expect from seasoned veterans like Arch Enemy, Loudblast and Edge of Sanity. Incidentally, Bryan Horn's death growl is very similar to Dan Swano's lower register. Deadly riffs, melodic solos and a pounding rhythm section that can easily compete with the best European death metal acts. Surprisingly enough, The Fifth Sun is an American band, which makes this release somewhat special. Favorite highlights include 'Upholding the Sacred truth’,’ Burn the Flag', 'The Naturalist' and the title track which includes a rippin' guitar solo from Mr. Nordström himself!  8.5/10
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Um, why is The Fifth Sun not signed yet? That is the question that I will be asking myself for the earlier part of this new year. Really, it just seems like a crime that this American death metal band (influenced heavily by the Swedish metal music scene) has no deal. It'll only be time before labels are knocking on their door. I can 
only hope. Anyway, from all of the independent records I have reviewed this issue, The Fifth Sun's 'The Moment Of Truth' is easily the best one, chock full of strong vocals, fast driving death metal riffs and an awesome production, thanks in part to the band traveling all the fucking way to Sweden to record in Studio Fredman with famed metal producer Fredrik Nordström. Man, talk about wanting the best. And from all of this hard work, the music just rages track after track after track, rarely letting up the momentum. Great moments include "Waste of Skin," the volatile "Burn the Flag" and the wickedly assembled (and heaviest track) "Achieving States of Spite and Malice." I think singer Bryan Horn best sums up the experience of 
The Fifth Sun's music when he screams, 'I've got nothing but a fist for you!' It just sounds so evil, so menacing, and so METAL! Highly recommended!   9/10
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Hailing from Northern Minnesota, The Fifth Sun may very well be the band most famous unsigned band in the world right now. Much like the blizzards one must endure if living in the pseudo-Scandinavian state, Bryan Horn (vocals, guitar) and his band of intelligent death merchants has created a stirring frenzy of praise and adulation from metal lovers across the globe. What is everyone so excited about? Just the best death metal album you've never heard, that's what. How this unknown band managed to scrape up the cash to fly themselves to Sweden and record under the production of none other then Fredrik Nordström (In Flames, The Haunted) at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg is hard to fathom. Thank god they were so determined however, because songs like "Waste of Skin" and "Achieving States of Spite and Malice" are here to rip your face off and intrigue you at the same time. Only the late, great Death were this adept at creating intelligent death metal and The Fifth Sun have obviously been paying attention to the masters. Record labels should be scrambling to sign this band as they are the future of American death.   10/10
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Production 5/6
Songwriting 5/6
Musicianship 5/6
Now this band has dedication. The Fifth Sun financed their own trip to Gothenburg, Sweden to self release their own CD which was produced by the one and only Fredrik Nordström, known best for his work with such bands as In Flames and The Haunted. The fact that they were able to do this really shows because this is some of the best production I've heard on a self-released album.  From the frozen tundra's of Bemidji Minnesota, The Fifth Sun hurls their frozen axe deep into the heart of American Death Metal. Simply put, this album is just plain heavy. Amidst all the heaviness are some powerful grooves and great melodies, not to mention some notable solos (a few compliments of Fredrik himself). The Moment of Truth is a great showcase of strong songwriting and killer musicianship. The album occasionally gives off a really cool old-school vibe, but is still very original and refreshing. Bryan Horn's growling vocals will grab you right off the bat and combined with his guitar skills and those of Shawn Mattila you're in for a ride of crushing death riffs that will have you breaking out the air guitar in no time.  This is probably the best unsigned band that I've come across in my time here at Metal Review. How this band slipped through the cracks and was unable to achieve a record label thus far is beyond me, and is just plain wrong. Compared to a lot of the mediocrity flooding the scene, The Fifth Sun is a nice change of pace and should not be overlooked by any avid metal listener. This is a very worthy addition to your metal collection.
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