EP DEBUT: "MOON ROT" by Moon Rot
“Moon Rot” EP Cover Art. via Moon Rot
Artist: Moon Rot
Genre: Punk Rock / Hardcore
Label: Unsigned
Reviewed Music: ‘Moon Rot’ (Debut EP Release, 4 Tracks, 9 minutes, 27 sec)
"Fever Dream" (1:36)
“Just as Dead” (2:38)
“Roses” (2:39)
“Thieves Like Us” (2:44)
Review of "Moon Rot" (Self-titled EP) by Nic Beardsley of Dear Untitled
Coinciding with a WAIVED FEE BANDCAMP DAY, where ALL payments go directly into artist pockets, Moon Rot, a local Boston, Mass, Hardcore Punk band released their DEBUT SELF TITLED EP, ‘MOON ROT’ on July 3rd, 2020, and its everything an angsty, pit diving human could ask for. Embedding the ignorant, rythmic guitar tones akin to talented New England Hardcore peers such as Great American Ghost, or Boundaries, Moon Rot is a rising act with plenty of grit and bite to match.
“….Breathe in, Breathe out, Can we start again?
Breathe in, Breathe out, fever setting in….”- Excerpt from “Fever Dream” by Moon Rot
Tackling their initial track, “Fever Dreams”, with such disdain, the punk aspect trickles through Moon Rot’s work with an unexpectedly lighter sound than your typical ‘run of the mill’ hardcore tone. Toeing the line between “angst” and “beatdown”, the impassioned fury within the constraints of only 1:36 is an impressive show for a opening piece.
“Just As Dead” flaunts a daunting, yet driving sound, but simultaneously positions Moon Rot to redefine our preconceived notions from “Fever Dreams”. Lyrical snippets, relentless riffs, and dynamic beats lead this piece to feel like a distant relative of Rage Against the Machine-esque punk. The emphatic lyrics: “..HANG YOUR HEAD…” coinciding with choral downbeats is enough to GET anyone going.
Hands down, “Roses” is the surliest track on the record. With literally nothing to lose, Moon Rot saw their chance and took their shot to brutally hammer their unique vision into your brain. Teed up, and fully embracing the band’s reckless attitude by this point in the EP, most listeners can genuinely appreciate the careless abandon and finesse with which this debut, ‘Moon Rot’ was crafted. “Roses” was merely the crest, however, as all 3 opening tracks were designed to chew you up, just to spit you out into the raging pit that is the final track, “Thieves Like Us”.
Undeniably the most aggressive culmination of the EP, “Thieves Like Us” makes tracks 1-3 pale in comparison and smacks the listener across the face:
"...Pack the dirt
Bright lights fade
four walls for eternity
every nail a vile memory
and when the reaper sows
you're D.O.A..."
- Excerpt from "Thieves Like Us" by Moon Rot
Hopefully the quip, “...Kingdom of Dirt: Legend of Worms…”, sticks in your head just as much as it did ours….Simply put, Moon Rot’s Self Titled EP, is a DON’T MISS, one of a kind, entry into the hardcore scene which we can’t do anything other than recommend if you’re a fan of tasty, tactful riffs, with a side of lighter beat-downs. - Nic B
‘MOON ROT’ by Moon Rot - out EVERYWHERE July 3rd, 2020.
FFO: Great American Ghost, Bushido Code, Katahdin, The Offspring