Thursday 26 October 2017

The Moth - Hysteria (Album Review)


Release date: November 10th 2017. Label: This Charming Man Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hysteria – Tracklisting

1. Empty Heart
2. Hysteria
3. Brachial
4. Slow Your Pace
5. This Life
6. Blackness
7. Loose
8. Shattered
9. Fail
10. Jupiter

Members

FREDEN - guitar & vocals //
CÉCILE - bass & vocals //
TIFFY - drums//
CURRY - drums //

Review

The Moth's third album - Hysteria - sees the band creating a heavier and more diverse sound that brings elements of Thrash Metal into the mix. The vocals have also had a dramatic makeover. The previous two albums by the band had elements of soulful sludge/stoner metal sounds. Not this time as The Moth focus their creative energies into something more primal and evil in parts.

Opening track - Empty Heart - does have the familiar sound the band is known for but it's being weighed down by heavy waves of Thrash Metal and Doom Metal. The music is played at a faster pace and owes nods to bands from both the American and European Thrash Metal scenes. It's good to see The Moth progressing their trademark Trance/ Psychedelic Metal sound further on Hysteria. As it makes the album heavier, meaner and moodier as a result..

Second track - Hysteria - is an atmospheric doom and gloom driven song with the dual vocals providing a murky backdrop to the overall gloomy feel of the album. The lyrics match the slightly depressing feel of the album. The production is bit so-so on this song as the volume is too low at times. Though that's the only minor criticism I have for the album. Everything from this point onwards sounds fantastic.

The music is loud, crisp and vibrant with The Moth showcasing their talent for creating heavy dark hypnotic riffs. Tracks such as: Brachial, This Life, Loose, Shattered, Fall and Jupiter - do show the bands earlier sounds but The Moth want to move onto their new found dark and thrashier sound at every opportunity they can possibly get. Imagine if High On Fire decided to go down a more Blackened Sludge Metal route, as Hysteria would be the dark and twisted result.

Is Hysteria the best album the band has released to date. Yeah, without a doubt it is. As the band expertly pulverize the listener with a barrage of non-stop riffs that showcase everything great from the underground metal scene. Hysteria is more progressive and more daring than their previous albums. Hysteria is one to go completely crazy for.

With Hysteria, the band have released the perfect reason for the commercial masses to sit up and finally take notice.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Hysteria will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via This Charming Man Records from November 10th 2017.

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