Los Angeles heavy rockers Moab are back with their third album, Trough, and it would seem to be a title loaded with meaning. Consider that guitarist/vocalist Andrew Giacumakis is also a noted recording engineer, having worked not only his own releases, but stuff for Fu Manchu and others, and think of “trough” in terms of waveforms. The lowest point.

And so it would seem to be. Late in 2016, Moab drummer Erik Herzog passed away. Giacumakis and bassist Joe Fuentes would pay him homage with a lyric video for “Nothing Escapes” (posted here) from their 2013 second LP, Billow (review here), which was issued through the now-defunct Scion A/V, and it was questionable whether or not the band would continue. Ultimately, they pressed forward, and recruited Fu Manchu‘s Brad Davis to fill the final spot in the trio to play live in support of Trough, which in light of everything they’ve been through in its making, seems to well earn the title it’s been given.

Trough is set to release on Oct. 19 through Falling Dome Records and brings Moab‘s sound to new places all the way around. From the uptempo Sheavy-style post-Sabbath heavy rock of “Into the Sea Swine” to the harder-hit lumber of “Moss Grows Where No One Goes” and the later jabs of “The Will is Weak,” it’s a record united in melody and hooks and purpose,  I have the pleasure today of not only announcing the fact of its existence, but also of premiering the first song from it. You’ll find some background and the tracklisting under the awesome-looking cover art below, and the track itself at the bottom of this post.

Please enjoy:

MOAB – Trough

Equal parts dirge and grace, Moab earned critical praise with their first two albums Ab Ovo (Kemado) and Billow (ScionAV), establishing themselves as underground darlings of LA’s heavy music scene. A unique ability to blend atmosphere and melody into an incessant dark riff and drum attack, Moab creates a sonic massage and listenability that few other metal bands wield.

2018 finds the Los Angeles based trio set to release their 3rd full length album Trough, a record steeped in loss with the passing of drummer Erik Herzog mid-way through its production. A gifted drummer and founding member of the band, his untimely passing had the band considering retirement. But with encouragement from family and friends to finish the album and let Erik’s final work be heard, the band refocused and committed to the album’s completion. Remaining band members Andrew Giacumakis and Joe Fuentes, joined by Brad Davis (Fu Manchu) filling the void on drums, are set to play select shows in support of the album’s release.

1. Skeptics Lament 4:09
2. Into The Sea Swine 3:38
3. All Automatons 3:40
4. Moss Grows Where No One Goes 4:53
5. The Onus 3:37
6. Medieval Moan 2:38
7. Fifty Thousand Tons 3:19
8. The Will Is Weak 4:21
9. Turnin’ Slow 4:48
10. Fend For Dawn 4:07

MOAB live:
09.14 Cafe NELA Los Angeles CA w/ Biblical Proof of UFOs, The Freeks, Angry Samoan

https://www.facebook.com/moabband
https://www.moabband.com/

Moab, “Skeptics Lament” official track premiere

Tags: California, Falling Dome Records, Los Angeles, Moab, Moab Trough, Trough

This entry was posted on Friday, August 24th, 2018 at 8:36 am and is filed under audiObelisk, Whathaveyou. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.