Alternative quartet El Moono have released their haunting new single ‘Final Execution’, with unique visuals created by Jack Zhang (prior credits include Dua Lipa & Elton John‘s ‘Cold Heart’). ‘Final Execution’ is another tantalising glimpse of the band’s new EP Temple Corrupted, which will be released 4th February via Lockjaw Records.
Pre-order the EP here: https://elmoono.lnk.to/
The EP – a raucous mix of Deftones, Thrice, Black Peaks, and Phoxjaw – marks a new era for the band. It follows heavy pre-Covid touring around the UK and Europe with Black Peaks, Phoxjaw, Haggard Cat and Press to Meco, and fully showcases El Moono’s expansive tastes and approach.
Influences of rock, hardcore, post-hardcore, sludge, grunge and metal, the band’s off-kilter and oftentimes mind-bending riffs, emotive songs and expressive lyricism combine to create a sound that’s difficult to pigeonhole.
A band unafraid to experiment sonically, El Moono tracked their EP in an ancient church, and notably features the piano used during Adele‘s Glastonbury performance.
Temple Corrupted is a concept EP, focused on depression and anxiety, and how societal corruption affects individual mental health. Listen out, for example, for track five, ‘Miseria’, which directly tackles the first-person experience of self-loathing. The song brings attention to the staggering statistics around suicide, and what might happen in future if our attitudes toward mental health remain the same.
‘White Gold’ tackles issues around institutionalised segregation of race and the injustices ethnic minorities face, fronting up to how the UK is an ‘ignorant empire’. Unafraid to confront serious events, their track ‘Requiem’ was inspired by watching a loved one waste away due to illness – a direct nod to guitarist Jamie’s father’s diagnosis of chronic cancer at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A band fully committed to their message and to change, drummer Chris runs a clothing brand, ‘Over Your Head’ donating profit portions to mental health charities.
‘White Gold’ gained the attention of legendary artist Dan Hillier, who lent his stunning artwork for the cover. El Moono are the third band Dan has worked with after fellow Brighton-based heavyweights Royal Blood and Architects.
