Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
Ex-Torche guitarist Juan Montoya and former Royal Thunder drummer Evan Diprima (currently Brother Hawk) have joined forces as MOON DESTROYS.
Having worked together in various configurations for a decade-plus, the pair make things official in preparation for their imminent first release. Titled ‘Maiden Voyage‘, the five-song EP arrived on March 27th from Brutal Panda Records. It is safe to say the output of the EP, and MOON DESTROYS, reveals an experimental nature to this musical pursuit.
As a whole, this singular body of work contains otherworldly music where hazy psych-rock envelops heavy riffs and rhythmic upheavals. Of the five tracks contained upon the EP, three of these are instrumentals that work like threads to connect the two remaining selections. For the recording, Montoya and Diprima assembled some incredible guests to participate in its making, including Troy Sanders (Mastodon, Killer Be Killed) as vocalist on “Blue Giant“.
However, it is “Stormbringer“, the other song with vocals, ones provided by Paul Masvidal (Cynic, Death), that draws us here today. The song also features synthesizers from Bryan Richie (The Sword) and is presented here in a mesmerizing, newly unveiled NSFW official video directed by John Bradburn. You’ll find it streaming below, along with the EP’s other details.
Clearly, the pair of musicians at the heart of Atlanta, Georgia’s MOON DESTROYS grasps the reality of the perilous times currently facing Earth and its inhabitants. This is reflected in the matter-of-fact comments each offered about this particular song, with them saying:
“Now is the time to connect with people, through music, through love,” Montoya says. “‘Stormbringer’ is from my soul. We will weather the storm together.”
Adds Diprima: “Let these rhythms help you escape for a while… The storm always ends, bringing a new, stronger outlook on life.”
Tracklist:
01. At The End Of Time
02. Blue Giant (feat. Troy Sanders)
03. The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean
04. Stormbringer (feat. Paul Masvidal)
05. The Edge Of Forever
Each vocalist penned the lyrics to their specific song, while additional guitars and synthesizers on “The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean”, “The Edge Of Forever”, and “At The End Of Time“, were performed by Joey Jones. Background vocals on “The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean” performed by Brandon Fordham. The ‘Maiden Voyage‘ EP was engineered, mixed, and produced by Joey Jones at Aria Recording Studio in Marietta, GA, and mastered by Carl Saff; vocals for “Blue Giant” engineered by Dan Byers at Rock Garden Studios in St. Petersburg, FL.
Weather “Stormbringer” for yourself, along with the previously shared “Blue Giant“, at this time. The ‘Maiden Voyage‘ EP is out now on LP and Digital formats via Brutal Panda Records and is available to purchase.
