Moose Wrench – Not Dead Yet (2023)
Describing themselves as “…an existential dad-bod alt-metal racket dealing with essential life issues like poor driving and man flu…”, Moose Wrench is that group of guys approaching mid-life crisis stage eager to just give us a big musical sigh and vent at the top of their lungs. The ones you roll your eyes at but totally understand the sentiment behind the “oh hell, I’m done with this so who gives a damn what I say” feeling. Y’know, those dudes.
Formed a couple of years ago, the UK-based trio (Leeds to be exact) is not only focused on building a loyal UK following with their performances but is also making waves far beyond their UK borders. From A&R Factory to Rádio Armazén, Is This Thing On Podcast, Wigwam Radio and more, Moose Wrench is turning heads from Europe to South America. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Not Dead Yet’.
A bold blast of music ‘Not Dead Yet’ hits you between the eyes with its heavy metal meets scorching punk with tinges of fiery classic rock flitting throughout the melody. Thom Garden’s pounding drums meet Colin Sutton’s hard-hitting bass with a flair of scorching keytar from Craig Robertson. Interestingly, while each of these instruments holds a prominent place in the arrangement somewhat vying for the loudest, hardest and most thrill-seeking spot; there is a mellifluous flow within the melody as each comes together in a harmonic whole. Add Robertson’s smooth vocals and you have a brash melodic burst tempered by a rich, warm voice.
Filled with a rush of evocative music sliding together in a sense of organised chaos, Moose Wrench screams they are “not dead yet” in this new single. What I find particularly amusing is the end. Powerful ferocity is quickly ended with an abrupt silence followed by a simple flatline…then nothing as the track peters out. An ideal representation of, as Moose Wrench put it, “ageing disgracefully and loudly and dressing accordingly”.
For more from Moose Wrench, check out their Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
