It’s been a while since last we heard from Los Angeles outfit Moab, and one can only wish the news was better. Toward the end of last year, the trio marked the passing of drummer Erik Herzog, and they now celebrate his life with a lyric video for the track “Nothing Escapes.” The song comes from Moab‘s second release, Billow (review here), which was released in 2014 via the now-defunct Scion A/V as a free download but is still available on CD and LP directly from the band. In addition to being tragic in its moment of arrival, the video is a reminder of the nuance that album proffered in following up 2011’s Kemado Records debut, Ab Ovo (discussed here), the sweetness of its melody and underlying Beatlesian pop bounce emblematic of the progressive bent emerging in their style at the time.

Naturally, Herzog played a major role in making that possible, so whether or not guitarist/vocalist Andrew Giacumakis and bassist Joe Fuentes will keep Moab going, I don’t know and don’t particularly want to speculate. For now, the lyrics to “Nothing Escapes” make a poignant tribute, and if in fact this does mark the end of the band, they will have offered listeners two rich outings that showed them as unafraid to look outside genre lines for inspiration as they pursued a path of individualized growth. Some groups never get that far, and while one could easily argue for Moab sounding like they still had more to say coming off of Billow — I would have, if we were debating the topic — the band’s work and that of Herzog as a part of the three-piece are able to stand on their own achievements as well and should continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

Condolences to Giacumakis, Fuentes and all who knew Herzog, friends and family and fans.

Please enjoy “Nothing Escapes” below:

Moab, “Nothing Escapes” lyric video

This video is our “shrine” to Erik. The song was especially significant to him as the lyrics were based on years of conversations with him about his struggles with depression. While that remained a struggle for him, he was especially proud of this song and the truth it contained. The drumming is some of his best work and the music is something we are all very proud of.

RIP Erik Herzog

Moab on Thee Facebooks

Moab website

To the best of my knowledge, Moab‘s sophomore outing, Billow, marks the first time that Scion A/V has sponsored a full-length album. They’ve done plenty of singles and shorter releases — EPs and splits, etc. — over the last couple years, and of course tours and the Scion Rock Fest, which Moab also played this year, but I’m pretty sure Billow is the first long-player to bear their logo. The album has been made available as of today as a free download.

It’s a ripper, with the melodic and pummeling “I Concede,” the Dozer-style airiness in “Burn Maria” and oddball progressive build of closer “The Softest Bait.” As with their 2011 debut, Ab Ovo, the L.A.-based three-piece self-recorded, with guitarist/vocalist Andrew Giacumakis (interview here) — who also helmed the new Fu Manchu; the two bands also formerly partnered on a Scion-sponsored split single — handling the production, and the sound is accordingly huge, a natural feel no less maintained in wide-open drums and spacious guitars anchored by dense low end.

The link to get your download comes courtesy of the PR wire:

MOAB’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM, SCION AV PRESENTS BILLOW, AVAILABLE TODAY FOR FREE DOWNLOAD VIA SOUNDCLOUD

Scion Audio Visual are pleased to offer a free download of Moab’s sophomore release, Scion AV Presents Billow, via the label’s Soundcloud page (https://soundcloud.com/scionav/sets/moab-billow-scion-av).

Scion AV Presents Billow track listing
1. Said It Would
2. I Concede
3. Whittled Away
4. No Soul
5. Burn Maria
6. Nothing Escapes
7. Made To Wait
8. Under All
9. The Softest Bait

Moab recently played Scion Audio Visual’s Rock Fest. In an interview with the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Giacumakis discussed the band’s relationship with Scion AV: “I think they’re ultra important to metal in this community. Scion is keeping the faith for sure by promoting these bands that mainstream media won’t pay attention to.”

https://soundcloud.com/scionav/sets/moab-billow-scion-av
https://www.facebook.com/moabband
http://scionav.com

Moab, Scion A/V Presents Billow (2014)