Moodring – Stargazer

Moodring – Stargazer
Release Date: 10th June 2022
Label: UNFD 
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Alt-Metal, Shoegaze, Nu-Metal, Grunge. 
FFO: Loathe, Architects, Sleep Token, Deftones.
Review By: Ryan Payne

UNFD are no strangers when it comes to backing bands with big potential and an even bigger sound; Floridian alt-metal quartet Moodring are no exception. Coming in strong with their debut album, Stargazer, which is an absolute joyride of nostalgia to listen to. The band have a wonderful balance of calm and chaos throughout this album, with the blend of shoegaze and alt-metal driving every track while throwing in other elements as well. Lyrically, the album explores themes of pain and loss, sex and addiction, love and death. When asked about the album, vocalist/guitarist Hunter Young, who also produced Stargazer, had this to say: 

“We were excited to explore deeper themes and different aspects of our band throughout the full length, The album dives into our pool of influences unabashedly but resurfaces as its own entity. Each song was written with personal meaning and multiple themes, whilst remaining ambiguous and open enough for listeners to relate in their own way.”   

Moodring takes the listener back in time with every track taking heavy influence from 2000’s era grunge while bleeding a different genre into each track, making sure nothing is as the same as the previous song while making everything blend effortlessly. Their 3^rd single “SYNC” is a wonderfully heavy song that could have come straight out of the minds of Deftones, while tracks like “Novocaine Bones” take a more shoegaze lead and leaves the listener in a trance as they journey through the track. But it’s not just one or the other when it comes to Moodring, as displayed in tracks like “Xeno (Foreign Love)” and “Head in the Clouds” where they find the perfect line to throw both sides of the spectrum together and create something truly special. 

With bands such as Sleep Token and Loathe taking the world by storm with their similar blend of genres, Moodring is definitely a band that is going to resonate well with many listeners, and it won’t be long until they are achieving similar levels of success. Stargazer is a very well written album and very enjoyable to listen through, especially with the nostalgic state of euphoria that comes with their signature sound. This is an album that needs to be listened to, and I can’t wait to see what the guys bring next. 

(4 / 5)