Dark Moon

Dark Moon is a group name used by at least two acts: an American black metal band and a German techno project. The German act is the one identified here, and it consists of Tino Hufeld and Christian Stein, both from the Frankfurt am Main area. They meet while Hufeld is doing an apprenticeship, and they develop a shared interest in electronic dance music. In the mid-1990s they begin professional music production.

Early releases and breakthrough

Stein already has experience as a DJ, while Hufeld works early with equipment and keyboards. The pair sign their first contract with the Alphabetcity label in 1998 under the name Go for it and release their first tracks. Their single Zeitreise becomes a notable success, appears on major trance and techno compilations, sells strongly for the label, and reaches a high position in the German dance charts. It remains a frequently played classic in the scene.

Remixes, collaborations and later work

Dark Moon, billed in this context as the “Quality Trancers,” go on to receive remix requests after their version of Marc et Claude’s I Need Your Lovin' is regarded as one of the tracks of the year. They also make remixes for Embargo’s Hysterie, Lange’s Follow Me and Aurora’s Hear You Calling. Their output expands through work with DJ Sabu, including Follow the Lights, and they continue with the project Microbe.

Later singles and label work

With the single Xit2Nowhere, released on Talla 2XLC’s Chaos label, they return to the German dance charts and the track is played heavily on Judge Jules’s BBC Radio 1 show. Further releases follow on the independent labels Alphabetcity and Overdose. In 2003 they are asked to write an anthem for the Swiss event Nautilus, resulting in I Will Find U, which appears on André Visior’s Torpedo Records label. In 2004 they found their own label, Breathemusic.

Other act with the same name

There is also an American black metal band called Darkmoon, formed in 1997 by Jon Vesano, Chuck Brummond, Devon and Scott Pletcher. All but Brummond had previously played in Demonic Christ. That band releases one demo tape, one EP and two full-length albums before splitting up.