EP REVIEW: Moodring – YOUR LIGHT FADES AWAY

an energy, creativity, and sheer ferocity that shows, despite what the naysayers might, heavy music is doing juuuust fine

Despite what some self-proclaimed influencers would have you believe, the heavy scene is in one of the best places it has been for a long time. From Sleep Token to Paledusk, Loathe to Ho99o9, bands across the globe are pushing the scene in new and interesting ways like never before.

One such band is Moodring. Kicking things off with their debut single ‘Show Me The Real You’ in 2021, the Orlando based band went on to release their debut album ‘Stargazer’ in 2022. Now we’re being treated for the third year in a row, with their new three-track EP, ‘YOUR LIGHT FADES AWAY’.

A collection of songs that simply refuse to be pigeonholed, Moodring explore sounds from nu-metalcore, blackgaze, and djent, with thunderous breakdowns, searing melodies, and chugging riffs that pummel the listener and leaves them wanting more. 

‘SHI=DEATH” and “BLACK_WAVE” both represent the more aggressive side of the band, with the latter in particular rounding off with a simply brutal breakdown segment that harnesses something of a nu-metal vibe. ‘SHI=DEATH” features dreamy melodies that are weaved between fuzzy riffing and glitching electronics, colliding with moments of explosive aggression.

However, the star of the show has to go to ‘WOULDYOUWAITFORME’, with its simple yet gorgeous melodies and fantastic hooks layered over walls of gaze-tinged guitars, and a ferocious second verse that showcases the band’s acute understanding of light and shadow. lt feels intensely relevant in its musicality, yet is unique in its blood-pumping execution, standing head and shoulders above similar attempts to execute such a fusion of genres.

At just a little over ten minutes in length, the EP is brief, but far from lacking in impact; should the band continue to progress as musicians and continue to make strides in evolving the genre past narrow-minded definitions that have plagued it intensely for so long, then one can only imagine how fantastic another full-length project from this outfit could be.

But for now, what Moodring has provided on ‘YOUR LIGHT FADES AWAY’ will serve as plenty to relish time and time again, with an energy, creativity, and sheer ferocity that shows, despite what the naysayers might, heavy music is doing juuuust fine. 

Rating: 80/100 – Very Good

For Fans Of: Loathe, Spiritbox, Thornhill, Northlane

You can follow the band on social media below:

Twitter // Instagram // Spotify